Objective To investigate the removal effect of smear layer on paients' tooth crown withlayer back root canal preparation method, layer-depth root canal preparation method and Pro Tapercrown down root canal preparation method. Methods 273 patients with tooth crown smear layerwere selected in our hospital from October 2011 to October 2013. These patients were randomlydivided into three groups. In the first group, 91 patients were treated with layer back root canalpreparation method. In the second group, 91 patients were treated with layer-depth root canalpreparation method. In the third group, 91 patients were treated with Pro Taper crown down root canalpreparation method. Then root canal wall smear layer scores, colony numbers of root canal smear layerand the occurence rates of adverse events before and after treatment were compared within three groups. Results After treatment, root canal wall smear layer scores, colony numbers of root canal smear layerand the occurence rates of adverse events significantly decreased in three groups. Root canal wall smearlayer score, colony number of root canal smear layer and the occurence rate of adverse events in thesecond group were significantly lower than those in the first group(P0.05). Root canal wall smear layerscore, colony number of root canal smear layer, and the occurence rate of adverse events in the thirdgroup were significantly lower than those in the first group and the second group(P0.05). ConclusionThese three methods are effective in removing smear layer on the tooth crown of patients, while theremoval effect of Pro Taper crown down root canal preparation method is the best of all.


The synthesis of continuous macroporous polymers (i.e., "polymer monoliths") is currently a subject of great interest for a variety of applications. These materials may have certain advantages over more traditional macroporous polymer beads, mainly because of the absence of interstitial voids in the "packed" state. Typically, a mold is filled with a polymerization mixture containing a cross-linking monomer, functional comonomers, initiator, and a porogenic diluent. This mixture is then polymerized to form a continuous porous monolith that conforms to the shape of the mold. One drawback of the method is that large volumes of organic solvents are required (typically ∼1:1 solvent to monomer), and these solvents can be hard to remove from the polymer matrix at the end of the reaction. Also, the pore structure of the polymer can be remarkably sensitive to very small changes in the composition of the porogenic solvent mixture. Recently, we have developed methods for the synthesis of highly cross-linked polymer ...


In this talk, we will propose a new optimization scheme for solving electromagnetic inverse scattering problems. In the inverse scattering problemthe physical properties of hidden targets, i.e., the permittivity and/or permeability can be retrieve from the measured scattering data excited by several incidences. In [1], by the MR-FFT-TSOM, the almost perfect `Austria' profile, with permittivity εr = 2.0, can be got. MR-FFT-TSOM has better stability and better robustness against noise in the inversion procedure and keeps the edge-preserving ability from MR. However, with the increment of contrast in the targets, the nonlinearity of the inverse scattering problem is strong and MR-FFT-TSOM maybe failure in the reconstruction. In this paper an inversion method that combines multiplicative regularization (MR) with the new integral equations (MR-NIE) proposed in [2] is presented. It can be shown that, with the adaptive MR [1], the MR-NIE can further decrease the nonlinearity of inverse scattering problems. This is due to the fact that, in the MR-FFT-TSOM, regularization scheme can provide further stability such that a more relaxed condition of constraining the current subspace being used in the optimization can be relaxed. The new reconstruction method is able to solve inverse scattering problem with stronger scatters compared to the inversion method with NIE. Numerical simulations including both inversion of synthetic data and experimental data validate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm. As shown in Fig. 1, the `Austria' profile with highly relative permittivity εr = 4.5, can be reconstructed well.


During the research for this dissertation, wearable computers have evolved from very simple and slow 2D graphics to highly detailed 3D rendering systems capable of video overlay, texture mapped triangles, and the ability to render millions of triangles per second for realistic AR output. As discussed in the previous chapter, this evolution process is ongoing as various devices are improved by their respective manufacturers. This appendix discusses the numerous mobile outdoor AR systems that I have constructed at key points in their development, broken down into the equipment that was used, how it was mounted onto the user, and the software that was developed for the platform. Since these three categories were not all changed at the same time (the same software may have been used with multiple types of equipment), platforms are described at various important milestones of development.


A series of tetraphenylethene-containing BODIPYs with emissions from visible to near-IR and large Stokes shifts up to 142 nm have been designed and synthesized. They show solvatochromic fluorescence and can be utilized as fluorescent visualizers for intracellular imaging.


Objective: To apply cell factory automation operating system in chickenpox vaccine production,thereby to improve varicella vaccine production and reduce the difference between batches. Methods: Passages were prepared in the cell factory using automation operating system. Manually operated cell factories were used as the control. Two types of operation modes were applied to measure cell production,operating time,and the verification of liquid preparation. Results: In the same condition of cell recovery,the varicella vaccine production by automated system was higher than by manual operation system. Also,batch difference was low,operation time was short,and all the indexes were qualified in the production by automated system. Conclusion: The cell factory automation operating system used for preparation of varicella vaccine not only improves the vaccine batch uniformity,but also reduces labor intensity and shortens the operation time. Thus this system can be used for mass production of varicella vaccine.


The articles in the second half of the book examine the operation and decline of the labor-liberal alliance. Stephen Amberg contends that within the boundaries of the alliance, organized labor gained generous contracts and limited work-based rights for its members but never was able to achieve any significant influence over economic decision-making, a weakness that came back to haunt unions as the economy soured in the seventies. Gilbert Gall's article analyzing labor's successful mobilization against right-to-work campaigns and Boyle's essay on the United Auto Workers' role in the Great Society, however, suggest that some elements of labor continued to be vigorous advocates of a social democratic agenda. Labor educators seeking a better understanding of labor's place in the political realm will benefit from reading this book.


A description is given of a ' progressive ' step test where the speed of ascent of two 9 in. steps is progressively increased. The validity of this test is established in terms of (1) the rate of approach to a steady-state, (2) a comparison of measured variables in the ' steady-state ' and ' progressive ' tests, and (3) a comparison of data for ' maximal ' oxygen intake with predictions from the ' progressive ' and ' steady-state ' step tests. The 9 in. step is subjectively more comfortable than an 18 in. step teat. The efficiency of working is independent of step height over the range 9-18 in., but varies with the speed of stepping. Variations in efficiency are no greater than for the bicycle ergometer at comparable rates of working. Methods of predicting ' maximal ' oxygen uptake are critically reviewed. The pulse rates during performance of the 9 in. progressive step test agree quite well with Astrand's findings at comparable levels of oxygen consumption. When the test is performed in the laboratory, t...


Is there such a thing as an enlightenment body ? Over the past few decades, the multiplication of objectifying perspectives on the body in history tends to the extreme fragmentation of such a topic. This article defends an exploration of the body as a singular and experienced reality which remains situated in a given historical context. The case of Horace-Benedict de Saussure, studied thanks to a particularly rich set of archives (diaries, letters, various notes) bears witness to the fact that Saussure, as an individual, elaborates and affirms the meaning of his private body according to experiences and to intimate knowledge and conviction which are forever being revised during his life. The historian can thus analyse the relationship between the scale of the singular body and that of the Enlightenment body.


Cocoa butter is an essential ingredient in chocolate as it forms the continuous phase of chocolate. It's therefore responsible for the gloss, texture and typical melting behaviour of 'irresistible' chocolate. The aim of this research was to change the functionality of cocoa butter by two different methods. In the first part, cocoa butter was modified by physical refining by using packed column steam refining with or without silica pretreatment. The physicochemical properties of the refined cocoa butters were determined and in the next step they were applied in a milk chocolate formulation. The produced milk chocolates were then evaluated for different quality characteristics. It was clear that the free fatty acids played a predominant role but the exact mechanism remained unclear. In the second part of this research, cocoa butter was changed more drastically as it was submitted to an enzymatic modification process, aiming to produce diacylglycerols. Diacylglycerols have distinct physicochemical properties compared to triacylglycerols due to the presence of a free hydroxyl group. An enzymatic glycerolysis reaction was optimized and a highly purified diacylglycerol fraction was obtained by short path distillation. The produced diacylglycerols were physicochemically characterized and blended with cocoa butter to screen their applicability in confectionary products. A multi-methodological approach was used to study the isothermal crystallization of cocoa butter at 20°C. In the last part of the research, the cocoa butter based diacylglycerols were applied in a dark chocolate formulation and the functional properties were derived by determining the melting and rheological behaviour and texture. As migration fat bloom remains one of the major quality issues in composed chocolate products, it was investigated whether cocoa butter based diacylglycerols could delay or prevent this phenomenon.


This paper presents and discusses laboratory performance measurements of a Roto-Lok drive system for the HABE azimuth and elevation gimbals. The HABE system is a 7,000 lb acquisition tracking and pointing (ATP) balloon-launched vehicle. The primary azimuth and elevation drive systems are zero-backlash torque multipliers referred to by the trade name Roto-Lok rotary drive and designed by Sagebrush Technology, Inc. The Roto-Lok used in the azimuth gimbal has a limited 320 deg of angular travel; therefore, it is supplemented with a secondary drive element to provide unlimited travel. This secondary drive is used to counteract the gross angles resulting from the freely rotating nature of the untethered balloon system. The Roto-Lok drive is used for the fine tracking and pointing of the gimbals. Both the azimuth and elevation Rota-Lok drives are tandem drives with an end-to-end ratio of 72:1. Performance specifications developed from the mission requirements are compared against the actual system performance measurements. The entire gimbaled azimuth and elevation systems are required to point in inertial space to less than 250 (mu) rad RMS over the band DC to 100 Hz for each axis. Performance measurements better than the specification were measured. The primary gimbal base-motion disturbances, however, are due to the motor cogging torque or torque ripple. A brief discussion of the measurement methods and the control system used to drive the gimbals is presented. Several system anomalies, such as the structural compliance between the drive element and the inertial rate sensors and the coarse gear backlash, are discussed in terms of their impact on the gimbal control system.


The family of peroxiredoxins(Prxs)are present in various cell types.Recent reports suggest that these proteins belong to antioxidant protein family.They not only have the function of antioxygenation,but also have the crucial action in H_(2)O_(2)-mediated signaling.Members of Prx family can catalyze the reduction of(H_(2)O_(2))and alkyl hydroperoxides to water and alcohol,removing the H_(2)O_(2) consequently.However,the H_(2)O_(2) is either the oxidant or the signal molecule in cells.The messenger function of(H_(2)O_(2)) requires that its concentration increase rapidly above a certain threshold level.The H_(2)O_(2) moleculars generated need to be protected from destruction by Prxs.H_(2)O_(2) peroxidates the Cys-SH of Prxs to Cys-(SO_(2)H) on active sites and induces the inactivation of Prxs,which can be reactivated by Srx.The reversible inactivation of Prxs can regulate the concentration of H_(2)O_(2) in order to let it exert its messenger function,and act on various particularly proteins.


Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) is able to manipulate the propagation of incident electromagnetic waves to form smart radio environments. This paper describes a sensor integrated RIS for optimal 5G communication. The proposed RIS's unit cell consists of via wall to eliminate phase distortion of the sensed signal. In addition, the devised RIS uses varactor diode to change the electric and magnetic properties of the surface in programmable manner and control the wireless channel at 28.0 GHz. Sensing capabilities and beamforming capabilities are verified by 1×4 unit cells configuration. This novel concept is expected to be universally applicable to indoor environment's blind spot.


Prior studies on financial distress focus on the restructuring of one aspect of the firm. By examining various forms of restructuring, we provide empirical evidence that asset restructuring and governance restructuring play significant roles before bankruptcy filing. Our analysis shows that financial restructuring before bankruptcy is influenced by the holdout problem among creditor groups. Evidence suggests that the fraudulent conveyance provision does not pose a serious impediment to divestitures during the two years before bankruptcy. The evidence also indicates that Chapter 11 reorganization is lenient toward management. Although Chapter 11 allows the firm to breach burdensome executory contracts with employees, our findings suggest that union busting is not an important part of the reorganization process. Finally, we identify various financial characteristics to predict the different types of restructuring a firm may undertake.


Learning Management System (LMS) is one of the online learning tool that used by one of private university in Indonesia. The private university began venturing into online learning, which more flexible for users, especially teachers and students. Online learning was implemented to build mutual knowledge, motivation, and communication for the sake of creating a collaborative and efficient learning environment and [1]–[6]. There were many perceptions about the form of effective online learning resources, which create an interesting teaching and learning process that engage and motivate students to learn. Currently, the most effective learning resources for students in online learning is still being debated. The contribution of this research was to discover the pattern of online learning users' behavior in Indonesia, especially students, find the most suitable and motivating learning resource for students, also improving the ease of learning material understanding. The research data was collected quantitatively using 730 students as a sample of the total 3870 students throughout the participants of online program, at one of a private university in Indonesia. Learning resources packaged in this among others: Lecture Note pdf-text, PowerPoints, Videos and Quizzes. In this paper, text-based has been found has a high role in motivating and facilitating for students to understand the material. The students believed both the learning resources have a relevance to the topics that covered in their courses, so that both learning resources become the main source of learning for students. Students regarded videos as additional resources, because it takes longer to understand the material in this type of sources.


The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of prompt types on EFL learners' writing performance. 6 university students and 10 university students were provided with bare and prose prompts and the fluency of their writings was measured by analyzing the length of product (word count) and mean length of T-units (MLTU) was used to measure syntactic complexity. Furthermore, independent T-tests were administered in addition to qualitative analysis in order to determine whether the differences between the two types of prompts were significant. The results showed that while high school students' writing wrote longer texts and had higher MLTU on the prose prompt than the bare prompt, a large portion of their writing was copied from the prompt when they were provided with the prose prompt. The university students' writing showed that they wrote longer texts and had higher MLTU on the bare prompt than the prose prompt. In addition, they had responded after the test that they were able to write more freely when they were given the bare prompt. The findings of this study suggest that test developers need to consider the effects of prompt types and examine the quality of the writings more carefully. I. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY One of the most important factors that can affect students' writing performance in writing assessment is the prompt since it provides information regarding the expected response. In other words, the writing prompt determines and shapes the content of the students' response. A number of studies have examined the role of prompts in L2 writing assessment (Hirokawa & Swales,1986; Hamp-Lyons, 1991; Kroll & Reid, 1994). Weigle (2002) identifies prompt wording (e.g., question vs. statement, implicit vs. explicit, and amount of context provided) as one of the features that influence task variability. Accordingly, while the topic of the writing prompt may be the same, students' response could differ as a result of different prompt formats. For example, Way, Joiner, and Seaman (2000) used two different prompt formats (bare and prose model) to compare the quality, fluency, and syntactic complexity in novice students' L2 writing in French in order to examine the different effects of prompts on students' writing performance. They conclude from the results of their study that providing authentic prose model prompt allowed students to produce written responses that were better in quality, fluency, and syntactic complexity. From such results, Way et al. (2000) suggest


This paper reviews the origin , specification and the genes related to the origin , specification of primordial germ cells(PGCs) and sex differentiation, isolation and culture of PGCs and embryonic germ cells(EG) cells and its related problems.


The paper discusses the issues of autonomization of rolling stock, the stages of its development, both over the past years and for the future years, as well as issues related to the use of autonomous transport, what is necessary for its use and how autonomous transport can be used from the point of view commercial use, and in the case of individual use.


The 28 September 2018 Mw 7.5 Sulawesi strike-slip earthquake generated an unexpected tsunami with devastating consequences. Since such strike-slip earthquakes are not expected to generate large tsunamis, the latter’s origin remains much debated. A key notable feature of this earthquake is that it ruptured at supershear speed, i.e., with a rupture speed greater than the shear wave speed of the host medium. Dunham and Bhat (2008) showed that such supershear ruptures, in half-space, produce two shock fronts (or Mach fronts) corresponding to an exceedance of shear and Rayleigh wave speeds. The Rayleigh Mach front carries significant vertical velocity along its front. We couple the ground motion produced by such a supershear earthquake to a 1D non-linear shallow water wave equation that accounts for both the time-dependent bathymetric displacement as well its velocity. We use an extension of Fourier-based PDE solvers called the Fourier Continuation (FC) method to numerically solve the system. The FC method enables high-order convergence of Fourier series approximations of non-periodic functions by resolving the well-known Gibbs “ringing” effect.  FC-based solvers offer limited numerical dispersion, high-order accuracy and mild CFL conditions—making them ideal to solve this system. Using the local bathymetric profile of Palu bay around the Pantoloan harbor tidal gauge, we have been able to clearly reproduce the observed tsunami with minimal tuning of parameters. We conclude that the Rayleigh Mach front, generated by a supershear earthquake combined with the Palu bay geometry, caused the tsunami.


Life of St Margaret, opening folio. Hart MS 41020, f. 167r. Photo F. Cook. Courtesy of Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, 2017 Many extant material and visual artefacts bear witness to the flourishing cults of a variety of female saints in late-medieval England. How can an examination of these artefacts and associated texts inform our understanding of the way devotees responded emotionally to such cults? This is the central question my paper seeks to address. St Margaret of Antioch, and two ar...


A 42-year-old man with a history of nontreated hypertension presented with acute chest pain of 4 hours duration. Blood pressure was 70/30, and heart rate was 38 beats/min. Electrocardiogram showed complete atrioventricular block and ST-segment elevation in inferior leads, V3R and V4R. Emergent coronary angiography was performed, revealing a complete occlusion of the proximal right coronary artery, which was treated with implantation of 2 bare metal stents. The patient recovered sinus rhythm and was admitted to the intensive care unit. Echocardiography showed hypokinesia of the inferior left ventricular wall and severe dilatation and systolic dysfunction of the right ventricle (RV). Color flow Doppler (movie clip S1), pulsed-wave Doppler (Fig. 1), and color M-mode (Fig. 2) revealed forward flow through the pulmonary valve over the entire cardiac cycle during inspiration. However, during expiration the pulmonary valve closed in diastole and mild pulmonary regurgitation became evident. Likewise, the tricuspid valve remained open throughout systole and diastole during inspiration, and tended to close in systole during expiration. The transtricuspid flow exhibited the corresponding respirophasic changes, with Doppler recordings showing a predominantly antegrade flow during inspiration with a small retrograde flow toward the right atrium in early systole. Pulsed-wave Doppler further demonstrated an increase in forward hepatic vein flow and minimal systolic flow reversal in inspiration, as opposed to expiration (Fig. 3 and movie clip S2).


A spectroscopic investigation of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped 50SiO2–20Al2O3–30CaF2 glasses and transparent glass ceramics containing CaF2 nanocrystals is presented. The formation of CaF2 nanocrystals in the glass ceramic was confirmed by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Judd–Ofelt parameters of the Er3+ ions in the glass and glass ceramic have been calculated; they suggested that Er3+ ions had been incorporated into CaF2 nanocrystals in the glass ceramics. The upconversion luminescence intensity of the Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped glass ceramic was much stronger than that of the Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped glass. The upconversion luminescence mechanism has been ascribed to a two-photon absorption process for the green and red luminescence and a three-photon absorption process for the blue luminescence.


To enable communication between spacecraft operating in a formation or small constellation, a mesh network architecture was developed and tested using a time division multiple access (TDMA) communication scheme. The network is designed to allow for the exchange of telemetry and other data between spacecraft to enable collaboration between small spacecraft. The system uses a peer-to-peer topology with no central router, so that it does not have a single point of failure. The mesh network is dynamically configurable to allow for addition and subtraction of new spacecraft into the communication network. Flight testing was performed using an unmanned aerial system (UAS) formation acting as a spacecraft analogue and providing a stressing environment to prove mesh network performance. The mesh network was primarily devised to provide low latency, high frequency communication but is flexible and can also be configured to provide higher bandwidth for applications desiring high data throughput. The network includes a relay functionality that extends the maximum range between spacecraft in the network by relaying data from node to node. The mesh network control is implemented completely in software making it hardware agnostic, thereby allowing it to function with a wide variety of existing radios and computing platforms.


The fairly new measurement system BOS is providing promising results by allowing the visualisation of qualitative density gradients as presented by Richard et al (2000). This paper shows that it is possible to measure local density information by means of BOS for the specific application of a 2D jet. An experiment is described to present the feasibility of BOS to measure local
density information. A slit nozzle blowing an air / helium mixture was investigated by BOS and Catharometry. Comparing the obtained results and taking the Catharometry measurement as the reference, the accuracy of the
density information provided by BOS can be evaluated: The small difference between the results of the two measurement techniques confirms the applicability and accuracy of BOS for local density measurements in 2D
density gradient investigations.


Vulnerability and vigilance are key motifs inhabiting L'Estoile's later writings on villainy. During the Catholic League's brief supremacy in Paris (c.1588–94), L'Estoile led a double existence: effectively collaborating with the Leaguer administration through his work in the chancery, he used his journals to report noteworthy 'vilenies' that he thought characterized the Leaguer regime. L'Estoile exposed himself to danger by his vigilant observation of the emotive pulpit oratory issuing from Leaguer clerics against the 'heretic' Henri de Navarre (Henri IV) who had succeeded Henri III in 1589. L'Estoile's journals of the 1590s function almost as a formal deposition; a readily available source of written testimony against Leaguer preachers that never quite entered the prosecution process.


RECENTAMERICANTHOUGHT has been obsessed with two themes: change and persistence, Whole new literatures have developed around the study of change. The social indicators movement seeks methods of identifying and measuring changes in the various aspects of the society as it inches or leaps forward. The futures movement, a loose international coagulation of writers, scholarly centers and research institutes in many disciplines, is dedicated to enterprises ranging from forecasting to the imaginative creation of possible future social worlds. The development or modernization literature is concerned with analyzing the opportunities and barriers to the transformations of undeveloped, non-developed, and developing states into modem, industrial, developed nations. The literature on post-industrial change, alternatives and counter cultures seeks to interpret the widely shared sense that the modern state-mainly the Western world but including parts of the Socialist world as well-has entered a new, uncharted, confusing and, above all, directionless period. The prevalence, speed, and consequentiality of change is so widely accepted that writers calling attention to persistence and tradition seem to be either pedantic academics or musty reactionaries. Insofar as tradition and persistence are counterposed against change and the future, there is a tendency for these words to become reified, to become disembodied forces obscuring the dimensions of each. The specific, concrete social processes which underlie both change and persistence tend to become blurred in this kind of thinking, as do important distinctions about different types of change, types of stability and the reIationships between them. The first part of this article therefore is a brief review of some problems involved in analyzing social change. The second part discusses two cases that may be useful to library planning.


There are many different kinds of metaphor, with different grammatical, conceptual and semantic properties. Each of them represents specific problems to the translator. The purpose of this article is to draw attention to these different kinds of metaphor and to their properties, and to underline those that could be a challenge for translation.


Many fields of study within computer science have benefited from the adoption of community-wide benchmarks and competitions. Software engineering has yet to fully embrace this approach. Case studies of existing uses of these techniques are presented, and a hypothetical application to software engineering based on research presented in last year's FSE are elaborated.


There is a lack of blazar detections in the galactic plane area, even in the most recent blazar catalogues, mainly due to incompleteness resulting from interstellar dust and stellar contamination of our Galaxy. The VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea survey (VVV) aims to map variable sources towards the galactic plane in the near-infrared (IR). There are three catalogued and one candidate blazars in the VVV area, which are also detected by Fermi-LAT in the gamma-ray band and by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) at mid-IR wavelengths. We study the physical properties of these blazars in order to use them as a reference that would allow us to find counterparts of other unidentified gamma-ray sources in the future. All four sources have VVV counterparts, and two of them, 5BZUJ1731−3003 and 5BZQJ1802−3940 are also associated with WISE sources. They present very different properties compared with stellar or extragalactic objects. Their VVV Ks light curves show significant variability, and are characterized using a machine learning analysis. In particular, the blazar 5BZQJ1802−3940, a flat spectrum radio quasar, exhibits the smallest uncertainties in the Fermi-LAT position and it is a bright WISE source. Its near-IR properties in the colour–magnitude and colour–colour diagrams are very different from the stars and extragalactic objects in the field. It has the highest amplitude in the Ks differential light curve and fractional variability amplitude. This pilot study will allow us to search for and identify other blazars hidden behind the Galactic plane using the VVV survey data base.


In this study we investigated immunohistochemically the expression of p53 and c‐erbB‐2 proteins in 30 gall bladder adenocarcinomas, one carcinoma in situ, eight gall bladder epithelial dysplasias, and four cases of chronic cholecystitis. p53 expression could be found in 14 (47 per cent) adenocarcinomas and in two out of eight epithelial dysplasias. There were significantly more p53‐positive grade II‐III tumours than grade I tumours (P=0.032 according to Fisher's exact probability test). c‐erbB‐2 expression was found in three (10 per cent) adenocarcinomas, but all dysplasias were c‐erbB‐2‐negative. All three c‐erbB‐2‐positive cases were also p53‐positive. The results indicate that p53 mutations and c‐erbB‐2 gene alterations play a role in the neoplastic transformation of gall bladder epithelial cells. Co‐expression of p53 and c‐erbB‐2 suggests that alterations of these genes might act in concert in the neoplastic transformation. The occurrence of p53 expression in gall bladder dysplasias suggests that p53 mutations could be an early event in the evolution of some gall bladder carcinomas, as has been suggested for some other types of tumours, such as lung squamous cell carcinomas.


This article focuses on French philosopher Paul Ricoeur's theory of time and narrative. We plan to discuss how to apply Hermeneutics on the knowing about the self. The main idea is to discuss how to successfully apply poetic narrative to introduce the idea of distanciation as the main character of our purpose. And by using Structuralist Claude Levi-strauss' concept of bricolage, we plan to discuss how to link the theory of narrative in time toward in establishing the function of totality. By interpreting how to re-establish the totality of the operation of life, our paper will focus on the interpretation of event in life through back and forward interpretation on the moment in time, through the back and forward interpreting, we hope to re-locate the bricolage on the meaning of the value about life.


The invention relates to a door lock control system with the function of integrated induction and image and sound recognition function, which mainly has three recognition means which comprise the following steps: requiring a user to send out sound to compare with preset voice after utilizing an RFID card reader to identification codes of the RFID card reader which is firstly and successfully identified and assured, and shooting the image of the user to compare with the preset image after the second identification is successful, which is a third identification procedure, and then, when the three identification steps are all successful, and then an electric door lock is opened. A user does not need to take keys through utilizing the door lock control system, and the door lock control system has recognition efficiency with high reliability.


The functions of idling speed regulator are very important. It can stabilize engine's idling speed, which can reduce the oil consumption when automobile is moving with idling speed. This can prevent automobile engine miss. And idling speed could be regulated by controlling throttle valve by-pass style. On the other hand, when automobile engine is in the state of idling speed, the load increases and introduces air-conditioner or power steering. In this paper, we have mainly studied the automobile idling speed regulator's functions, structure, operating principle and checking methods.


A 53-year-old lady with Crohn's disease presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of continuous chest pain and profound general discomfort. An electrocardiogram (ECG) showed sinus tachycardia, a new right bundle branch block with left anterior hemiblock and diffuse repolarization abnormalities most prominently present in the inferolateral leads (A). Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe diffuse biventricular hypokinesia with an estimated left ventricular ejection fraction of 15%. Urgent coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries (B,C). The level of high-sensitivity troponin T was 4.47 lg/L (normal <0.013lg/L). The patient was transferred to the coronary care unit and received dobutamine and 125mg of IV methylprednisolone for the tentative diagnosis of giant cell myocarditis (GCM). Despite optimal supportive therapy she developed progressive cardiogenic shock. Twelve hours after admission a biventricular assist device was implanted (D) and during this procedure biopsies of the left ventricle were obtained. Histopathological analysis showed massive inflammatory infiltration of the myocardium and the scattered presence of giant cells, hereby confirming the diagnosis of an idiopathic GCM (E). Over the following 3 days the ECG evolved over progressive QRS broadening to a complete flat line (F). TTE on day 3 showed a total biventricular standstill. Since there was no hope for recuperation the patient was listed for high-urgency heart transplantation. Eight days after admission she underwent an orthotopic heart transplantation. Idiopathic GCM is a rare and frequently fatal type of myocarditis, usually characterised by an acute and fulminant deterioration in left ventricular systolic function. An association with a systemic auto-immune disorder is described in about 20% of the cases. To our knowledge, this is only the second case of GCM reported in a patient with Crohn's disease. The rate of death or cardiac transplantation is almost 90%.


This paper examines the relationship between consumer confidence and the Rational Expectations Permanent Income Hypothesis in the USA and compares the results with those obtained for the UK. The study expands previous analysis by defining consumption as motor vehicles, goods excluding motor vehicles, and services. The results suggest that predictive ability of the USA's consumer confidence is less than that of the UK, but that contrary to the UK study, confidence does not predict future consumption growth of services and is therefore consistent with Rational Expectations Permanent Income Hypothesis.


Curcumin is a popular spice and part of the ancient medicinal system Ayurveda. It is known to have anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties; research has shown prevention of liver damage induced by IL‐6. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the natural fatty livers in leptin k/o mice (OB/OB) would be improved by adding curcumin to food pellets, suggesting potential use in hepatic steatosis in general. Ten treated and ten control OB/OB mice were fed 2 months then studied for effects. Food pellets (Harlan) were prepared with and without 180 mg curcumin in the daily dietary intake (9 gm). Calories for both diets: protein 15.2%, carbs 62.5%, fat 22.3%.


In forest management planning and forestry decision-making there is a continuous need for higher quality information on forest resources. The aim of this study was to improve the quality of forest ...


This paper describes the principle of Heartbeat Packet based on Windows Socket communication.It also discusses Server's respective actions to detect the non-graceful disconnection at the Client by sending off Heartbeat Packet with Server Socket and Client Socket in Delphi for net communication.


This paper analyzed the relationships between occurrence area attacked by soybean pod borers in China during 1952-2001 and 74 atmospheric circulation parameters from previous January to current April, and monthly and average different period combination of ocean temperature from 286 gridding points. The atmospheric circulation and ocean temperature factors were screened out. Through step regression, the occurrence area forecast models concerning atmospheric circulation and ocean temperature were established and verified separately. The results showed that the occurrence area attacked by soybean pod borers could be preferably simulated and predicted by these models. The forecast accuracy reached 88% by the atmospheric circulation model and 86% by the ocean temperature model through extending prediction for 2002-2004.


Based on the equivalence property of Caristi fixed point theorem and Ekeland variation principle,we proved that e-solutions of Ekeland variation principle are included in the set of fixed points of Caristi fixed point theorem.


We previously reported identifying SOX6 as a glioma antigen by serological screening using a testis cDNA library. Its preferential expression and frequent IgG responses in glioma patients indicate that SOX6 may be a useful target for immunotherapy. To examine whether cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte (CTL) responses specific for SOX6 to destroy glioma can be generated in vivo, we treated glioma‐bearing mice by vaccination with a plasmid DNA encoding murine full‐length SOX6 protein. Following SOX6‐DNA vaccination, CTLs specific for SOX6‐expressing glioma cells were induced, while normal autologous‐cells that had restrictedly expressed SOX6 during embryogenesis were not destroyed. Furthermore, DNA vaccination with SOX6 exerted protective and therapeutic antitumor responses in the glioma‐bearing mice. This antitumor activity was abrogated by the depletion of CD4 positive T cells and/or CD8 positive T cells. These results suggest that the SOX6 protein has multiple CTL and helper epitopes to induce antitumor activity and the effectiveness of SOX6‐DNA vaccine for the prevention and treatment of glioma. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Naive Bayesian classifier is a simple and efficient classification method. However, the assumption of the independence of its attributes is difficult to be satisfied, which influences the classification performance. In this paper, a new classification algorithm is proposed, which is based on the attribute correlation coefficient and principal component analysis. By the algorithm, we can remove the attributes that are not related to the class, and make sure that the retained attributes are independent of each other. By removing redundant attributes, the obtained attribute subset meets the assumption of Naive Bayesian classifier, and ultimately improves the classification performance of Naive Bayesian classifier.


Lagged-product autocorrelation estimates haveasmall triangular bias. Using thatbiased autocorrelation tocompute an autoregressive modeliscalled theYule-Walker methodofauto- regressive estimation. Themethod isasymptotically unbiased, butit cangiveastrongly distorted spectral modelinfinite samples. The biasdistortion canevenbecomesignificant insimple, non-extreme examples, wherethereflection coefficients arenotclose toonein absolute value. A newobjective measure willbepresented to determine thesmallest sample size forwhichtheYule- Walker bias becomes negligible iftheautoregressive parameters areknown. The autoregressive estimation method ofBurgdoesnotsuffer fromthis bias andistobepreferredfor spectral estimation andfor estimation oftheautocorrelation function inpractice.


This paper takes 142 enterprise employees as samples,through empirical research method,to explore the relationship among enterprise employees job burnout,job satisfaction and job performance. The results of the research show: firstly,the enterprise employee job burnout has an influence on job satisfaction; secondly,the job burnout has an influence on job performance; thirdly,the job satisfaction has an influence on job performance;lastly,job satisfaction plays a part of intermediary role when job burnout has an influence on job performance.


Jonathan Sturm received his bachelor's degree in music from Oberlin, where he studied with Stephen Clapp and Gregory Fulkerson, and his master's degree from Eastman School ofMusic,where hestudied with Zvi Zeitlin and Sylvia Rosenberg. While at Eastman, healso acquired a secondmaster's degree inmusicology. Hewas on themusic faculty at Rhode Island College, where hetaughtviolin andearly music historyfrom 1986-1989. Heis now pursuingadoctorate ofmusicinviolinwithJosef Gingold at Indiana University.


Although more than 50 different loci translocate to the MLL gene at chromosome band 11q23, resulting in either acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), no unifying property is shared by all partner genes. The translocations result in a functional fusion of the N-terminal part of MLL gene and the C-terminal part of each partner gene, presumably leading to changes in the expression of the normal target genes, most of which have not been identified. Although genetically engineered mouse leukemia models have been widely used, few systematic studies have evaluated whether such models are valid equivalents of human leukemia. We used serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) to obtain genome-wide gene expression profiles in normal myeloid progenitor cells from human CD15 + and mouse Gr-1 + cells. We also analyzed four patient samples (two with each fusion) and two retrovirally-induced mouse leukemias containing either MLL-ELL [t(11;19)(q23;p13.1)] or MLL-ENL [t(11;19)(q23;p13.3)] fusions, and a cell line from a leukemia mouse transduced with an MLL-ELL fusion. MLL-ELL and MLL-ENL fusions are frequently involved in human AML, while MLL-ENL is also seen in human ALL. 484,303 SAGE tags were identified from the nine samples (40,000 to 100,000 tags per sample), yielding 103,899 unique SAGE tags in the human and 60,993 in the mouse samples. Analysis of the SAGE data identified 43 candidate genes that appear to be abnormally expressed in both human and mouse myeloid leukemia progenitor cells with either MLL-ELL or MLL-ENL fusions (9 up-regulated and 34 down-regulated; Table 1). Increasing evidence suggests that endogenous antisense RNAs may play critical roles in gene regulation and cancer. Natural antisense RNAs include cis -encoded antisense RNAs transcribed from the opposite strand of the same genomic locus as the sense target genes, and trans -encoded antisense RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) transcribed from a genomic locus different from the sense target genes. 26 of the 43 candidate genes have antisense partners (with a total of 7 cis -encoded antisense RNAs and 36 trans -encoded miRNAs) and thereby might be regulated by endogenous antisense RNAs. We are currently validating the expression pattern of the 43 candidate genes in at least 30 different human and mouse leukemia and normal control samples with quantitative RT-PCR, and measuring the level of expression of all known miRNAs via microarray in these samples. Our studies on the abnormally expressed genes and their potential antisense partners will provide important insights into the complex functional pathways related to MLL rearrangements in the development of acute leukemia, which may lead to more effective therapy for these leukemias.


In this article we study the asymptotic behavior of small eigenvalues of Riemann surfaces for large genus. We show that for any positive integer $k$, as the genus $g$ goes to infinity, the smallest $k$-th eigenvalue of Riemann surfaces in any thick part of moduli space of Riemann surfaces of genus $g$ is uniformly comparable to $\frac{1}{g^2}$ in $g$.
In the proof of the upper bound, for any constant $\epsilon>0$, we will construct a closed Riemann surface of genus $g$ in any $\epsilon$-thick part of moduli space such that it admits a pants decomposition whose boundary curves all have length equal to $\epsilon$, and the number of separating systole curves in this surface is uniformly comparable to $g$.


The use of simulation teaching methods in secondary and higher medical education has become systematic in recent years. Along with the rapid and massive spread of new educational methods, inevitable natural problems arise, such as a lack of qualified personnel, especially management. To solve this problem, a unique "Medical Simulation Training Expert" course was developed and first implemented in 2022-2023.


In recent years, methods have been presented to resolve large-scale atmospheric disturbances into traveling wave components. Eliasen (1958) and Eliasen & Machenhauer (1965) computed the amplitude and phase angle of the atmospheric wave as functions of time. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1974.tb01619.x


Background: Background: COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing the risks of hospitalization and death, especially for people with comorbidities and impaired immunity. Systemic reactions such as fever, headache and myalgia are frequently reported after COVID-19 vaccination, especially adenoviral vector vaccines followed by mRNA and inactivated vaccines. Thalassemia disease is the most common monogenic disease worldwide. Among patients with thalassemia diseases, high fever or systemic reactogenicity after vaccination may trigger hemolysis, resulting in a sudden decrease in hemoglobin levels. Aims: Aims: To determine whether COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces hemoglobin (Hb) levels in Thalassemia patients by comparing pre- and post-vaccinated Hb levels after individual vaccination. Methods: Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using medical records of thalassemia disease patients, who were followed up at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH) from January 2021 to January 2022. Four Hb values; the most recent pre-vaccinated Hb levels (Hb1) and post-vaccinated Hb levels (Hb2) after the first COVID-19 vaccination and the most recent pre-vaccinated Hb levels (Hb3) and post-vaccinated Hb levels (Hb4) after the second COVID-19 vaccination of individual patients were retrieved. Comparison between pre- and post-vaccinated Hb levels of each vaccination was computed using paired t-test. Results: Results: Among 220 transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients who were regularly followed up at Hematology Department, KCMH, 199 had COVID-19 vaccination records. There were 184 fully vaccinated patients. The first dose vaccinations were being comprised of 115 viral vector vaccines (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19), 42 inactivated vaccines (BBIBP-CorV and CoronaVac)) and 32 mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273). The proportions of the second vaccinations were almost similar. Only 9 patients first vaccinated with inactivated vaccines were administered viral vector vaccines in the second vaccination. Of 120 patients with available Hb data after the first vaccination, the mean difference of Hb levels after first vaccination was 0.03±0.9 g/dL (p = 0.685). The median interval between obtained Hb1 and the first vaccination was 50.6 (IQR: 22-70) days, and between obtained Hb2 and the first vaccination was 28.5 (IQR: 14-38) days. Of 71 patients with available Hb data after the second vaccination, the mean difference of Hb levels after the second vaccination was 0.13±1.0 g/dL (p = 0.292). The median interval between obtained Hb3 and the second vaccination was 27.6 (IQR: 14-34) days, and between obtained Hb4 and the second vaccination was 38.2 (IQR: 18-52) days. There were 14 patients (11.7%) whose Hb levels were decreased over 1 g/dL after the first vaccination, while there were 7 patients (9.9%) whose Hb levels were decreased over 1 g/dL after the second vaccine. Most of these patients were administered viral vector vaccines.


Medial medullary syndrome is a rare form of the brainstem syndromes that has a triad including ipsilateral weakness of the tongue, contralateral hemiparesis sparing the face, contralateral loss of deep sensation. A sixty year-old female was admitted to our hospital with the complaints of left hemiparesis and speaking disturbance. On her neurological examination, there were paresis at right tongue, left hemiparesis and impaired deep sensation. On her neuroimaging findings, there was a medial medullary infarction. We reviewed clinical and neuroimaging findings of medial medullary infarctions considering the literature.


Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that affect PR in multinational corporations (MNCs) today, and to explore how the factors affect PR management in the selected MNC ...


Background 1. On 3 December 2003, the European Commission (the "Commission") adopted a decision finding that various undertakings had participated in a series of agreements and concerted practices…


Chemistry as a scientific discipline that study matter in in smallest scale of nature, involving composition, structure, properties, behavior, en ergy and its changes. This way chemistry describes nature as well as synthesize nature. Analytical chemistry developed methods and modern instrumentations to reveal every tiny details of materials, including in living bodies. The same methods can be used to approach replica systems, as chemists work on medicinal chemistry as well as biomaterials. Knowledge about dynamics in interfaces of materials and biomaterials is crucial, since most of bioprocesses occurs in this area. The aim of this discussion is to create a discourse in using chemistry as one perspective for doing further science. Medicinal chemistry offers different processes to overcome anomalies in living body. Natural or synthetic medicines create new equilibrium system on application. Functions and equilibrium are two important topics to relate the chemistry topics in medicinal chemistry, aided by methods in analytical chemistry. The art of interplay between analysis and synthesis chemistry determine human welfare in the long run. Physician must use chemistry way of thinking to understand many more phenomena better. On the other hand, scientific works in today's digital era generate expansion of scientific data. The power of digital communication shifts the progress in science much faster than before. This way, Baconian induction methods, also in chemistry and biochemistry, can rely on modern databases. Big data analysis is now important also to create new shortcut topics in medicinal area. Computational chemistry works well as laboratory alternatives of animal testing requirements. Personalization of unique bodies, neural network, artificial intelligence, even simple augmented reality will work together in medicinal science towards better healthcare. Visualization and analysis as well as communication would be vital in modern analytical science. And last but not least, chemistry and science education cover heavier tasks than before, which are related to wider scope of nature and environment as well as ethics.


High sensitive gas ceramics can be obtained by using the nanometer technology and with its two main effects, surface effect and quantum dimension effect, the gas sensors sensitivity and selection can be improved. The fundamental mechanism of gas sensoring material's nanometer technology, preparation methods, technology control are introduced.


A simple, selective, linear, precise and accurate RP-HPLC method was developed and validated for rapid assay of Febuxostat in pharmaceutical dosage form. Isocratic elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min -1 was employed on a Hypersil C18 column at ambient temperature. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile: phosphate buffer 60:40 (v/v) and the detection wavelength was at 320 nm. Linearity was observed in concentration range of 5-30 μg/mL. The retention time for Febuxostat was 3.4 min. The method was validated as per the ICH guidelines. The proposed method can be successfully applied for the estimation of Febuxostat in pharmaceutical dosage forms.


Results: Sixty subjects were enrolled; 83% completed the study. A very slight and clinically insignificant increase in exposure, reflected by a ratio of 1.09 for C max (90% CI 0.98–1.22) and a ratio of 1.16 for AUC ∞ (90% CI 1.04–1.30) was observed when paliperidone ER was administered concomitantly with paroxetine compared with paliperidone ER alone. There were no serious AEs or clinically important individual mean changes in clinical laboratory values, vital signs, or ECG parameters. Conclusion: Co-administration of paliperidone ER and paroxetine compared with paliperidone ER alone caused a minimal increase in paliperidone exposure that was not considered clinically relevant. Thus, the initiation or discontinuation of treatment with a CYP2D6 inhibitor does not warrant a dose adjustment of paliperidone ER.


: Value orientation is an important concept in the philosophy of axiology. There is a natural close connection between higher education system and value orientation. The construction and selection of innovation mode of higher education system must be based on the promotion and guidance of certain value orientation. The value orientation of domestic higher education has mainly gone through two stages of "social standard" and "economic standard". Entering the new era, the innovation of higher education system should establish a "people-oriented" value orientation, clearly take the modern university spirit as the value pursuit, and take the university concept as the value source.


Damage of blood vessels exposes the subendothelial matrix and results in the adhesion of platelets and monocytes at the site of injury. On eroded atherosclerotic plaques, platelets avidly bind to abundant type I collagen and monocytes are recruited by activated platelets. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine reciprocal interaction between platelets and monocytes upon exposure to a collagen surface. CD14 isolated monocytes and washed platelets were incubated separately or together in a 1/100 ratio in plates coated with type I fibrillar collagen. Platelet activation was assessed by measuring P-selectin expression by flow cytometry and RANTES secretion by ELISA. Platelet adherence and activation on immobilized collagen was analysed by confocal microscopy using FITC-phalloidin. Alternatively, cell-cell contacts were prevented by incubating platelets and monocytes in transwell coculture dishes, both parts of which were coated with collagen. In selected experiments cells were pretreated with the anti-PECAM 1.3 monoclonal antibody or with L-NMMA (NG-methyl-L-arginine, inhibitor of NO synthesis). IL8 was measured as an activation marker of monocytes. In co-incubation studies, collagen-activated platelets triggered IL8 secretion (6-fold increased) by monocytes, in agreement with previous observations indicating that platelets adherent to collagen delivers activating signals to monocytes. We have then focused our attention on the effect of monocytes on platelet activation. Unexpectedly, when monocytes were added five minutes after platelets to the collagen-coated plates, we obtained a decreased platelet expression of P-selectin by 42% (15.2 ± 9.1% positive platelets versus 26.3 ± 11.7% in the absence of monocytes, p = 0.0053, n = 16) and RANTES secretion by 39% (p < 0.0001, n = 6). The inhibitory effect of monocytes on platelet secretion decreased when the time to which they were added to platelets and collagen increased. Platelets incubated with immobilized collagen adhered and formed large aggregates consistent with a strong activation state. When monocytes were added, they established contacts with platelets while the number and size of the aggregates were dramatically decreased and isolated platelets were observed. In experiments performed in transwell coculture dishes, platelet P-selectin expression and RANTES secretion returned to the levels obtained in the absence of monocytes indicating that cell-cell contacts were required to inhibit platelet secretion induced by collagen. Preincubation of monocytes with anti-PECAM 1.3 reduced the inhibition of collagen-induced P-selectin expression and of RANTES secretion by ~ 40 %. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of monocytes on platelet aggregation appeared to be reversed by the anti-PECAM 1.3 antibody with a loss of individual platelets and the presence or large aggregates. In the presence of L-NMMA pre-treated monocytes, RANTES secretion was similar to the value obtained in the absence of monocytes. Together, our data provide evidence that, monocytes limit the initial phase of platelet activation by a collagen surface. The mechanism of this effect is dependent on cell-cell contacts. It is, at least in part, mediated by PECAM-1 with a contribution of NO. The interaction of platelets with monocytes at the surface of a damaged vessel would thus have two different effects:

1. it would limit platelet activation and recruitment and

2. it would increase the contribution of monocytes in inflammatory and procoagulant responses.


-The aim of this study is to analyze the use of diction in Covid-19 reporting on the news site disway.id written by Dahlan Iskan, a senior Indonesian journalist. This study to analyze the diction based on the Gorys Keraf theory which includes; (1) diction based on meaning consist of denotation and connotation (2) diction based on lexical issues related to Covid-19, and (3) the function of diction in Covid-19 news on www.disway.id. The research method used is descriptive qualitative method. The object of the research is dictions in the form of words, phrases, clauses, and sentences in Dahlan Iskan's four articles on disway.id with different themes. The articles are those published on April 8, 2020, June 4, 2020, September 26, and October 8, 2020. Data collection was conducted by reading, recording, classifying and analyzing. The validity of the data in this study was obtained through observation, discussion, and sufficient references. There are three research results found based on the data analysis. First, the type of diction used by Dahlan Iskan on disway.id in the Covid-19 issue is diction which has denotative and connotative meanings, but most of the dictions (90%) of the articles use denotative diction. Second, the dictions are based on a lexical structure which shows the diversity of the dictions used. Mostly, the use of dictions ha synonyms, homonyms, and homographs. Third, the function of diction in Covid-19 news on disway.id is to attract readers, create public opinion, and provide understanding from various perspectives on Covid-19 issues.


The mode of action of immunological adjuvants is not yet completely understood. Many are particulate. Certain antigen‐presenting (dendritic) cell populations belong to the monocyte/macrophage lineage and, like other members of the lineage, in some tissues appear to be short‐lived. We report that many poorly degradable, particulate adjuvants, for example, aluminum hydroxide, oil‐in‐water emulsions, calcium phosphate, and silica, enhance murine bone marrow‐derived macrophage survival; induction of DNA synthesis was even observed. No evidence could be found for a requirement for endogenous granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) or macrophage‐CSF (M‐CSF or CSF‐1). Synergy for the proliferative effects was noted in the presence of added GM‐CSF or CSF‐1. It is suggested from these in vitro findings that one function of certain particulate adjuvants may be to increase by enhanced survival or even proliferation the number of cells available for subsequent antigen presentation and cytokine production. J. Leukoc. Biol. 67: 226–232; 2000.


This study presents results which were generated and analyzed over a 2-yr period. Several hundred computer runs were made during this project and an extensive amount of rock property data was reviewed to insure that these data were representative of tight gas reservoirs. The following conclusions reflect the combined information which was generated during the study. The reservoir properties, such as capillary pressure, change of capillary pressure in damaged zones, and relative permeability (in low permeability gas reservoirs) are primary factors in determining the behavior of a fractured well during cleanup. If the reservoir rock permeability is not damaged by frac fluid invasion, no serious water blockage to gas flow will occur when (1) the pressure drawdown is much greater than the capillary pressure in the formation, or (2) the capillary pressure and water mobility are large enough to rapidly imbibe the frac water into the formation. If the reservoir rock permeability is not damaged by frac fluid invasion, a complete water block to gas flow cannot occur; however, gas production can be severely curtailed if the pressure drawdown does not exceed the formation capillary pressure and the water mobility is so low that the frac water remains immobile nextmore » to the fracture face.« less


Cancer drug development is an extremely challenging and resource-consuming process with a dismal success rate of 5%. The high failure rate is partly due to the inadequacy of traditional 2D cell culture model to predict drug efficacy and toxicity. A highly accurate and representative system is therefore urgently needed to improve cancer drug discovery and development process. The emerging 3D cancer models can better recapitulate the in vivo tumor microenvironment and have shown closer gene expression profiles to clinical samples compared to 2D models. Another crucial element of in vitro cancer models is the source of cancer cells: patient-derived models have shown advantages to better capture tumor heterogeneity and clinically relevant genetic alterations of the tissue origin compared to traditional cancer cell lines. Several studies showed that response of patient-derived models to treatment reflects the response of patients from which the organoids are derived, suggesting they are great platform for studies of personalized medicine. Hereby, we performed a proof-of-concept high throughput multiplexed plate-reader based drug screening assay on 3D patient-derived tumoroids.
 Methods: Patient-derived tumoroids were sequenced for cancer relevant mutations, copy number variants, and altered gene expression using multi-biomarker targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) and RNA-seq. 3D tumoroid lines derived from three different colorectal cancer patient samples, together with a colorectal cancer cell line were treated with chemotherapy, and targeted therapy agents. The same tumoroid and cell lines were cultured and treated in 2D as experimental control. Drug response readout was multiplexed using three different plate reader-based assays, measuring the reducing power, ATP, and the release of lactate dehydrogenase from treated cells.
 Results: Comparable drug responses were observed from three different viability cytotoxicity assays. Different patient-derived tumoroids demonstrated differential drug sensitivity that correlates with their clinical cancer stages. Both patient-derived and cancer cell lines cultured in 3D models showed markedly increased drug resistance compared 2D adherent culture. Differential response was also observed between cancer cell lines vs patient-derived lines.
 Conclusion: Taken together, these findings suggest the potential advantages of 3D patient-derived tumoroid models over 2D culture and cancer cell lines for accurate prediction of drug response. Through targeted NGS and RNA-seq, patient-specific drug targets could be identified for personalized drug screening. Selected drug candidates could be further subjected to in vivo drug validation using patient-derived xenograft model generated from the same donor. In combination with other derived models or large donor banks, this workflow provides a platform for large-scale drug discovery workflows and precision medicine.
 Citation Format: Xiaoyu Yang, Andrew Tsao, Garrett Wong, Chris Yankaskas, Colin Paul, Brittany Balhouse, Amber Bullock, Anthony Chatman, Shyanne Salen, Sybelle Djikeng, Matt Dallas, David Kuninger. Multiplexed plate-reader based drug screening of 3D-tumoroid models [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 2750.


This paper examines animal replacement behavior for over 1,000 Wisconsin dairy farms during the period 2011-2014 and analyzes the rationale for high replacement rates. Dairy farmers in the United States replace their cattle at around three years in the herd, earlier than what asset replacement models predict is profit maximizing. The empirical model incorporates cow and herd heterogeneity in mortality rates to back out the implied cost of cow mortality and the parameters of the cow's production function. Using the conditional choice probability method paired with machine learning, I estimate the cost of mortality at 1,800 USD per death, 800 dollars more than estimates based on simulation studies. Utilizing farm size heterogeneity, I also find that mortality costs are three times higher on small dairies than on larger ones. In a counterfactual estimation, dairy farmers were willing to pay 1,300 USD to eliminate mortality risk completely for first year dairy cows. These results suggest that genetic selection in U.S. dairy favors relatively large farms and may be accelerating the exit of small farms.


Abstract : Target response coefficients for several commonly encountered munitions types and three munitions surrogates were calculated from measurements made using the Naval Research Laboratory Multi-sensor Towed Array Detection System (MTADS) magnetometer array. A best-practice method for making these measurements is presented. Results are presented for four locations in the continental United States: Welcome, MD; Black Hills Army Depot, SD; Hawthorne Army Depot, NV; and a site in Withlacoochee, FL. The minimum-response curves are different for each site because the orientation and strength of the Earth's magnetic field are different at each site. Response curves from Welcome, MD site are shown with corroborative field measurements data overplotted to demonstrate the validity of the method. The results for the large munitions surrogate are the worst fit and this is most likely due to limited ability to degauss large, thick-walled items with available degaussers. Maximum response curves are not presented in this work.


Nowadays Knowledge Management (KM) is the key reason for the organizational success and endurance. In the competitive business environment, managing knowledge involves strategic management processes and active market research. With a systematic strategic management approach, organizations are able to generate competitive advantages and achieve organizational objectives. Organisations are comprehensively gathering information using many methods and tools and one such activity is mystery shopping a sister concept of market research which also contributes towards holistic strategy formulation. Though both these unique concepts differ in dimensions, the process is the same and the ultimate aim is contribution towards growth. The paper intends to throw light on the linking thread between knowledge management and mystery shopping and to determine the common factors and process sequence which contributes towards effective strategy formulation. General conclusions are derived especially to create awareness of this unique marketing research tool which provides a sense of direction and outlines measurable goals of the organization.


Business education is one of the growing phenomena both in the developed and developing world. Global argument in many contexts from the areas that are more connected to profit and loss (that is marketing, accounting, finance and management) activities of business have been heavily given emphasis recently. As a result, motivation of academics in teaching and students' motivation in learning the course has recently maintained a low profile. However, a well established argument is that without adopting updated business ethics course as a fundamental of business education, neither long term business goal can be achieved nor a decent national development can be ensured. After the invention of ICT, most of the courses are trying to have a maximum benefit through the usage of IT. It is thus important to have a greater role of ICT in business ethics course. Based on the experience of courses taught by the author, this paper argues that an adequate use of ICT in the teaching of a business ethics (BE) course depends on clarifying the assumptions about ethics and the place of the course within a programme. For this purpose, it explains how ICT can be used to strengthen a view of business ethics based on dialogue and mutual learning and it encourages the combination between virtual and face-to-face teaching. Data used for this paper are the teaching and observation experiences in two universities in Bangladesh. One of them is public, while the other is included from a private counterpart. Finally, the paper examines the relationship between the use of ICT, individual learning processes and communities of practice.

 Key words: Business education, business ethics, corporate citizenship, ICT, learning processes.


In response to concerns about the effects of slash removal on natural regeneration, a microenvironment study was conducted in logging slash using weighed full-tree (FT) and tree-length (TL) slash loads, and no slash (control), in the first summer after harvesting a mixed stand in New Brunswick. Significantly higher temperatures at the litter surface occurred in control and FT plots than in TL plots. Potentially lethal temperatures for new conifer germinants were recorded 18 times in FT and control plots combined, and once in TL plots. Differences among treatments in temperature peaks diminished in prolonged droughty weather. There were no differences in soil moisture tension at 10 cm depth, apparently because of restricted drainage. An average of 95% of full solar radiation (W/m2, response range of measuring device 0.35–2.5 μm) was measured in FT slash and 66% in TL slash. No significant differences in mortality or height growth of established coniferous advance growth (Picea spp. and Abiesbalsamea (L.) M...


Plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase was partially inhibited by physostigmine (Eserine), and the normal balance of cholinesterase between these two blood compartments was disturbed. This change increased erythrocytic fragility. The results of the experiment provide an explanation for secondary anemia in patients with certain chronic diseases.


Problem Area / Purpose
The purpose of this research is to study how agents learn and share knowledge in a callcenter after the implementation of a wiki. How they create new knowledge, and theirperc ...


Brand positioning is the core of brand marketing strategy. Holding modern marketing theories as a basis, this article discusses the necessity and system of brand positioning and the relationship between brand positioning and other marketing factors. At the end, the author puts forward some personal views about the issue.


The composition, dielectric properties and inherent displacive disorder of a Bi-based, misplaced-displacive cubic pyrochlore phase found in two ternary Bi2O3–M O–Nb2O5 (M 1⁄4 Ni and Mg) systems has been investigated. The dielectric permittivities (up to 1MHz) of (Bi0.825Ni0.125&0.05)2(Ni0.25Nb0.75)2O7 and (Bi0.835Mg0.085&0.08)2(Mg0.235Nb0.765)2O7 at room temperature are found to be 116 and 151, respectively, while the dielectric loss tangents are 0.00065 and 0.00042, respectively, at 100 kHz. A highly structured characteristic diffuse intensity distribution apparent in electron diffraction is reported in both cases and partially interpreted in terms of large amplitude, b-cristobalite-type tetrahedral rotations of the O'A2 tetrahedral framework sub-structure of the ideal pyrochlore structure type. Bond valence sum calculations are used to investigate the local crystal chemistry responsible for this displacive disorder. r 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


Within the framework of this study, we aim at the replacement of plywood as ship containers floor material, with a lighter and friendlier-to-rainforests composite material. Wood fibre-reinforced thermoPlastic Composites (WPC) were developed using double-screw extrusion, consisting of recycled waste wood fibres reinforcing recycled High Density PolyEthylene (HDPE) matrix. This shift to WPCs has the dual positive effect of containers freight reduction as well as elimination of the use of natural resources, radically contributing to climate change measures. Following international shipping standards for container flooring, high quality recycled WCPs were developed. HDPE was found to provide acceptable structural performance. To that respect, WPC blends of HDPE matrix reinforced with 30%, 40% and 50%wt wood fibre flour, were fabricated and subjected to 3 point-bending mechanical testing. It was found that the studied WPCs reveal mechanical performance adequate to qualify as replacements of plywood timber flooring in ship containers.


The projectile points described below are surface finds discovered by Oscar Lewis within a few miles of his ranch located about twenty miles south of Glendive, Montana. As some of the types represented are those which have been found to have considerable antiquity elsewhere and the complex is similar to that recorded in Pictograph Cave I, a cultural horizon buried under two other prehistoric and one historic horizon at Pictograph Cave near Billings, Montana, their occurrence in this locality is of interest.


James Joyce's fascination with the resources of the English language took many forms — from the use of specific local words which situate the short stories of Dubliners precisely in the Irish metropolis all the way through to the linguistic experimentation of Finnegans Wake which prompts the questions "are we speachin d'anglas landage" (Joyce 1975, 485) or is this "nat language at any sinse of the world" (Joyce 1975: 83)? In this article, however, I want to take as my focus Joyce's interest in lexicography as a way of thinking about the cultural and political significance which has been attached to what Stephen Dedalus, in Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, refers to somewhat ironically as one "little word": tundish (Joyce 1992, 204). In order to do so it will be necessary to begin with the logomachy — a word first attested in 1569 to mean "contention about words" and created on the basis of the Greek logomachia (from λόγος 'word', μαχία 'fighting') between the young Irishman Stephen Dedalus and the English dean of studies which constitutes one of the central passages in Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. The complicated exchange between these two characters takes the form of an extensive contest of cultural and political authority which focuses on understanding the contextual meaning of words. There are two instances in which Stephen gains the upper hand over the dean: first when the dean takes Stephen's metaphorical phrase working by their light (in reference to the ideas of Aristotle and Aquinas) to refer to an actual lamp


A closed self‐consistent description of a four‐temperature vibrational‐chemical non‐equilibrium CO2 flow is proposed. Various factors affecting the accuracy of this approach are studied, among them the representation of the production terms, anharmonicity of molecular vibrations, the choice of the molecular interaction potential.


Washington State University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA(Dated: July 29, 2010)Modulational instability (MI) due to relative motion of two superfluids is found for a miscible,binary Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). For sufficiently large relative speeds of the BEC compo-nents, we experimentally observe the onset of counterflow induced MI leading to the proliferationof dark-dark vector solitons which can experience a transverse (snake) instability. This is in con-trast to nonlinear self-steepening and intercomponent shock formation previously observed at lowcounterflow speeds. Our experimental results are complemented by a linear stability analysis andby multi-dimensional numerical simulations that reveal an intriguing dynamical richness of the su-perfluid counterflow.


The conducted researches showed a certain influence of productive age of hens of parental herd on some morphological and biochemical indicators of incubatory egg.


This paper presents a model of the optimal bidding behaviour of a single bank in the context of fixed rate liquidity tenders. Banks' bidding is shown to depend crucially on the central bank's liquidity policy as regards tender allotments. The paper also analyses ECB liquidity policy in terms of the model. The ECB, while applying fixed rate tenders, appears to have been attempting stabilise the market interest rate at a level close to the main refinancing rate. However, this aim was at least partially overridden by that of stabilising total money market liquidity over the course of the reserve maintenance period - even more so when banks were expecting the ECB to raise the main refinancing rate in the near future. The banks' aggregate bids increased considerably during the period of fixed rate tenders. This was seen to result mainly from profit opportunities associated with a positive spread between market interest rate and main refinancing rate. The positive spread resulted from the combination of expectations of an interest rate hike and liquidity-oriented allotment policy.


Objective:To study the relations between ESWI and Page kidney.Methods: The clinical data of 10 cases of Page kidney following ESWL were retrospectively analyzed and were reviewed.Results:The 10 cases were treated by ESWL in the late 80s.The occurrence of Page kidney was related with the non-appropriate indications and high voltage.Conclusion:It is worth of paying close attention to the sequelae resulting from by ESWL during treatment of urinary system stone in the advanced stage.Page kedney is most common one of complication in ESWL later period.


T he National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health announced recently that Educational Resource Centers were being established in each of the nine Public Health Service regions, and that occupational health nurses would be among the professionals to be trained at these sites. This event signaled a new era of development for a professional group which has provided such effective service in industry but which until now has had few educational resources for its members, and no firmly established academic bases upon which appropriate research and training activities could develop. It is significant also that many of the training programs will bring nurses, physicians, industrial hygienists and safety professionals together in classroom, laboratory and applied problem-solving situations, and thus open new possibilities for interdisciplinary collaboration in the interest of improving the health of the working population. Although most of the new programs are in the early stages of development, it seems useful for those involved in planning to begin to exchange information about training objectives, curricula and resources. Accordingly, in this paper I shall 1) review the process of developing an ERC in one institution, 2) describe the programs for training occupational health nurses, and 3) discuss some of the implications of the new ERC program.


Avascular necrosis of bone (AVN), also known as osteonecrosis, ischemic necrosis, or aseptic necrosis, is a progressive pathological process in which compromise of the bony vasculature results in death of bone and bone marrow cells. This process eventually leads to bony collapse and destruction of the associated joint. Similarly, bone infarction involves the death of hematopoietic cells within the marrow. This is typically seen within the long bones and does not involve the weightbearing surface. Given the marrow involvement, there may be a reduction in red blood cell production and there is potential for fat emboli in the acute phase of development. As the remainder of the cortex and weightbearing aspects are left unaffected, this is not typically otherwise symptomatic ( Jones & Mont, 2014 ; Karim, Cherian, Jauregui, Pierce, & Mont, 2015 ; Mont, Marker, Zywiel, & Carrino, 2011 ; National Institutes of Health [ NIH], 2015 ) Avascular necrosis of the knee, although rare, is the second most commonly affected site after the hip. This pathological fi nding is divided into three categories: spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK), secondary (commonly referred to as atraumatic), and postarthroscopic. SONK is the most common form and typically seen in patients older than 50 years, with a reported incidence as high as 9.4%. Secondary osteonecrosis is most commonly seen in patients younger than 45 years ( Jones & Mont, 2014 ; Karim et al., 2015 ; Mont et al., 2011 ). Atraumatic etiologies include chronic alcohol abuse , cigarette smoking, long-term use of corticosteroids , sickle cell disease, systemic lupus erythematous, chronic renal failure, human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV) infection, pancreatitis, chronic hyperlipidemia, exposure to radiation, and thrombophlebitis. Still others are idiopathic. Chronic alcohol abuse and use of corticosteroids are associated with approximately 80% of atraumatic cases ( Jones & Mont, 2014 ; Karim et al., 2015 ; Mont et al., 2011 ; NIH, 2015 ).


A new family of molecules containing planar tetracoordinate carbon enclosed by group 14 elements was reported.The electronic stabilization and bonding situation were studied through the analyses of molecular orbitals and the electron density at bond critical points.The magnetic properties were also investigated.These square planar systems containing planar tetracoordinate carbon centers,which were stabilized by both electronic and mechanical factors,were reported for the first time.The D4h Si4B4H4 can also be applied to stabilize planar tetracoordinate nitrogen.


Recognition tests are a very popular means of assessing the memory effectiveness of advertisements. Unfortunately the recognition scores obtained by current methods reflect both the memory for an advertisement and the response biases of the respondents. The authors introduce the theory of signal detection (TSD) which can be used to secure independent estimates of memory and response bias in recognition tests. They discuss how TSD can be used to improve ad recognition testing.


Purpose Infertile clients undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) are exposed to a stressful situation and evidence has highlighted the importance of dyadic coping in reducing stress, yet little is known about the associations between psychological distress, dyadic coping, and quality of life in this population. Patients and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China. A structured questionnaire was administered online to assess psychological distress, dyadic coping, and fertility quality of life. Sociodemographic information was collected. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and stepwise regression models were used to analyze the data. Results Of 715 infertile males and females who completed the survey. Results showed that there was a negative association between psychological distress and quality of life. The use of positive dyadic coping was associated with better quality of life, whereas negative dyadic coping might contribute to worse quality of life. Moreover, males reported having a better quality of life in contrast to females. Conclusion The findings of this study highlighted the significant associations between particular dyadic coping and quality of life in clients undergoing ART. Healthcare professionals should recognize the significance of dyadic coping in the context of ART and consider improving clients' quality of life through coping-oriented interventions.


The dielectric behavior of pulsed laser deposited ferroelectric (Pb1−xLax)(Zr0.65Ti0.35)O3 films (PLZT x/65/35, x=0–9.75 at. %) has been studied experimentally. Epitaxial stoichiometric PLZT films were formed on a pulsed laser deposited layer of La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 (LSCO) on MgO (100) single-crystal substrates. The dielectric permittivity and loss tangent of the resulting heterostructures were measured in the temperature range of 20–350 °C at a frequency of 100 Hz–1 MHz. A peak around 130–350 °C was observed in the dielectric permittivity versus temperature curves. The peak exhibited a relaxor type behavior. Its position was a nonmonotonic function of the La content and depended on the microstructure of the film. The broadening of the peak of the dielectric permittivity was larger than that in the ceramic PLZT and it also depended on the La content and microstructure of the film. The broadening depended on the temperature and frequency ranges: master curves of the normalized dielectric permittivity versus norm...


This article addresses the socio-spatial aspects of the dissemination of Covid-19 in the urban territory of Teresina-PI, as well as measures to face the weaknesses, focusing on low-income peripheral territories Based on some urbanization variables existing in the territory, recorded in official census research data by IBGE and Teresina City Hall, a brief presentation of the local reality is made, pointing out the current uneven development condition in Teresina Associated with this data, an analysis is made of the disease progression in the urban territory and of the decrees promulgated by the public authorities adopted as measures to face the pandemic To do this, in addition to the official data from the city hall and the state government, there was information provided weekly by the Municipal Health Foundation regarding cases and deaths caused by the disease In addition to the public actions and policies, alternative actions were also analyzed considering if they reached the low-income peripheral population To do this, in addition to the information on official websites of civil society association, some telephone interviews were conducted The analysis of the virus propagation confirms an uneven scenario of the disease dissemination, evidencing its rapid expansion to the peripheral territory, where the population has been most vulnerable to contamination and death An insufficiency of actions is identified and therefore a need for political incidence to defend the basic rights of residents of low-income peripheral territories © 2020, Universidade de Taubate All rights reserved


Neutrophil β2 integrins are activated by inside-out signaling regulating integrin affinity and valency; following ligand binding, β2 integrins trigger outside-in signals regulating cell functions. Addressing inside-out and outside-in signaling in hck−/−fgr−/− neutrophils, we found that Hck and Fgr do not regulate chemoattractant-induced activation of β2 integrin affinity. In fact, β2 integrin-mediated rapid adhesion, in static condition assays, and neutrophil adhesion to glass capillary tubes cocoated with ICAM-1, P-selectin, and a chemoattractant, under flow, were unaffected in hck−/−fgr−/− neutrophils. Additionally, examination of integrin affinity by soluble ICAM-1 binding assays and of β2 integrin clustering on the cell surface, showed that integrin activation did not require Hck and Fgr expression. However, after binding, hck−/−fgr−/− neutrophil spreading over β2 integrin ligands was reduced and they rapidly detached from the adhesive surface. Whether alterations in outside-in signaling affect sustained adhesion to the vascular endothelium in vivo was addressed by examining neutrophil adhesiveness to inflamed muscle venules. Intravital microscopy analysis allowed us to conclude that Hck and Fgr regulate neither the number of rolling cells nor rolling velocity in neutrophils. However, arrest of hck−/−fgr−/− neutrophils to >60 μm in diameter venules was reduced. Thus, Hck and Fgr play no role in chemoattractant-induced inside-out β2 integrin activation but regulate outside-in signaling-dependent sustained adhesion.


Objective:To investigate the reversing effect of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, LY294002(LY) and wortmannin (Wort), on the drug resistance of mitoxantrone (MIT)-resistant human breast cancer MCF-7/MIT cells. Methods:Drug-resistant MCF-7/MIT cells were treated with LY or Wort combined with MIT. Cell viability and proliferation were measured using the MTT assay and morphological changes were recorded by microscopy. Intracellular accumulation of MIT in MCF-7/MIT cells was detected by flow cytometry. Mitochondrial membrane potential was determined by rhodamine 123 staining. Cell cycle was examined by propidium iodide staining. Results:LY significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of MIT to MCF-7/MIT cells. In LY and MIT cotreated cells, the percentage of cells arrested at S and G2/M phases and the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased significantly compared with single LY- or MIT-treated cells. The mechanism was related with increased accumulation of MIT in MCF-7/MIT cells induced by LY. While Wort, another PI3K inhibitor, did not significantly enhance the cytotoxic effects of MIT.Conclusion: The PI3K inhibitor significantly enhances the sensitivity of MCF-7/MIT cells to MIT.


Objective: To study the clinical effect of integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine(ITCWM) in treating pelvic congestion syndrome.Method: The treatment will take the western medicine and the Chinese herbal medicine which are cassia tuckahoe capsule and the soup for regulate the breath flow and take silt,The treatment will continue 2 or 4 courses with 7 days for a course.Result: The recovery in all patients were 40 cases.The effective were 13 cases.The inefficacy were 3 cases.The total effective rate was 94.6%.Conclusion: The curative effect of ITCWM in treating pelvic congestion syndrome is clear.


Background. Since depressive disorders are now eminently treatable and early detection and treatment could bring substantial benefits, it is critical to address alternative presentations of depression in the general medical setting. Concern regarding under-diagnosis of depression in general medical settings has given rise to the question of whether the clinical disorder of depression differs qualitatively or only quantitatively across care settings. Methods. Symptom profiles of depression were compared across care sectors to investigate how the presentation of depression among general medical service users might differ qualitatively from speciality mental health service users. Data on depression symptoms within 6 months of interview gathered in three community surveys that were part of the NIMH Epidemiologic Catchment Area Program were analysed using methods developed to assess item bias. The subjects were 4931 and 363 persons who reported a visit to the general medical sector or to speciality mental health respectively, within 6 months of interview. Results. Compared with speciality mental health service users, general medical service users were less likely to present dysphoria (adjusted Odds Ratio, aOR=0·57; 95% Confidence Interval, CI=0·38–0·84) and feeling worthless, sinful, or guilty (aOR=0·63; 95% CI=0·40–0·98), but were more likely to present fatigue (aOR=1·71; 95% CI=1·09–2·69), even after holding constant other characteristics that might influence reporting of symptoms as well as level of depression. Conclusions. These results suggest that there are qualitative differences in depression presenting in general medical care compared with speciality mental health care and call for a reconceptualization of depression in the general medical setting.


As a traditional fuzzy C-means(FCM) has its shortages, we present an improved algorithm: FCM_BVW.By improving the clustering objective function,the abilities of C-means to handle noise and to show the significance of each dimension in the samples for clustering effect are enhanced.And lastly,there is an experiment which makes the new FCM clearer.


Optical microscopy and spectroscopy of hybrid nanostructures composed of chlorophyll-containing photosynthetic complexes and silver nanowires reveal strong enhancement of fluorescence intensity of chlorophylls bound to the protein. This effect results from interaction between excited states of molecules embedded in the photosynthetic complex and plasmon excitations in metallic nanowires. Wide-field microscopy images reveal twofold increase of the emission intensity for complexes located at the ends of the nanowires as compared to the ones lying along the nanowires. Complementary spectrally and temporally resolved experiments indicate about 10-fold average increase of the chlorophyll fluorescence rate upon coupling with the metallic nanoparticles.


Throughout the war period and immediately thereafter, punitive measures were instituted against Jordanian nationals working in the Gulf; hundreds of thousands were dismissed from their jobs without compensation, and many more were expelled from the Gulf, leaving behind personal belongings, as well as bitter memories.

The purpose of this study is to: (1) investigate the effects of the Gulf Crisis on the amount of annual contributions to Jordan's economy by Gulf workers; (2) measure the amount of property loss incurred by Gulf workers as a result of the displacement; (3) examine the duration of unemployment caused among the displaced workers; and (4) measure attitudinal changes among the displaced workers regarding their economic future and the future of Jordan's economy.


Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the innovation activities of Chilean firms by using micro-level data.

Design/methodology/approach

Micro-level data have been obtained from the World Bank, Enterprise Survey on 696 Chilean small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Bivariate probit estimation method has been used.

Findings

The results showed that SMEs are less likely to apply for patents and introduce product innovations. This outcome indicates that Chilean SMEs face resource constraint in terms of introducing product innovations and applying for patents. In addition, SMEs undertaking research and development (R&D) and making network ties with other research institutions are more likely to introduce patents and product innovations. Similarly, SMEs that are engaged in quality programs are more likely to spend on patents. Lastly, SMEs with public support for innovation activities positively influence the patent application.

Research limitations/implications

Findings imply that SMEs investment in knowledge-based assets (e.g. R&D, networks and quality methods) accelerate their innovation output. Policy makers should not only provide financial incentives (R&D subsidies) to SMEs but also encourage their strong ties with research institutions for higher innovation output.

Originality/value

Previous studies showed research gap related to micro-level analysis of the Chilean SMEs. For the first time, multiple proxies have been used as dependent variables (product/process innovations and patent application/spending), which is neglected by the past studies.