Both from a pedagogical and a psychological point of view, but also from sociology, we are aware of the fact that learning is a permanently successful process, taking into consideration that learning in the school environment does not bear significant practical differences from learning in our normal, social lives. Since the 18th century already, educational theories have been developed, accepting teaching methods focusing on learning processes, in accordance with human's brain functions and aiming not for an individual, but a social aspect of learning, enhancing the individual's self- efficacy in society. Neurodidactics investigates these two parameters, in an effort to introduce brain research scientific results into courses, forging at the same time the frameworks and prerequisites used to establish knowledge that was correctly structured and integrated in a context of emotional motivation. The neurodidactics' aim is to encourage and support the management and process of learning, in a stress-free, reliable, social learning context. The following analysis of these theories should assist teachers in understanding and explaining their students' experiences and behaviors, which should always be related to the students' brain functions and physical-mental functions, as part of a learning group.


Hospital pharmacists have an important and unique role in health care, one that significantly affects patient outcomes. However, the majority of published literature has been based on hospital pharmacy practice models in the developed world. The Basel Statements were the result of an inaugural global conference held in Basel, Switzerland, in 2008, hosted by the Hospital Pharmacy Section of the International Pharmaceutical Federation. These global consensus statements reflect the profes sion's preferred vision for hospital pharmacy. 1 Currently, the 75 statements (covering all areas of the medication-use process in hospitals, including medicine procurement, influences on prescribing medicines, preparation and delivery of medicines, administration of medicines, monitoring of medication practice, and human resources and training) are undergoing minor updat ing, with revisions to be completed this year, while the general principles of evidence-based practices and medication safety will remain unchanged.


Objective To screen and identify peptides with high affinity to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from phage display random peptide library. Methods Using LPS as a ligand, phage clones that bond to LPS were screened from phage display random 12-mer peptide library through 4 rounds of biopanning. After binding activity was measured by ELISA and plaque reduction testing, the phage clones presenting high affinity to LPS was selected and amplified. Their DNA were extracted for sequencing, and the coding peptide sequences were deduced from the results and analyzed by bioinformatics including homology analysis through blasting. Results After 4 rounds of effective screen, 86 eluted clones were obtained and amino acid sequences of 12 positive clones with high affinity to LPS were selected and identified. The core peptide sequence of phage clones was deduced as HWQWPHWSPPP (named P11) through comparing with the results from phage display random 7-mer peptide library, which was considered to contain the motif of the common amino acid sequence for LPS affinity. There was no patent declared based on P11 sequences retrieving from patent database. There were 908 proteins matching partly to the peptide found by homology retrieval. Conclusion Peptides with high affinity to LPS are obtained from phage display random peptide library, which provide us structural foundations on further study of direct-evolution using these peptides as primers.


Ficus carica Linn (Moraceae) is an important plant in the genus Ficus and commonly referred to as "fig". It is one of the first plants that were cultivated in the world. Ficus carica is an important genetic resource with high nutritional and economic values. It has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a wide range of ailments related to digestive, endocrine, reproductive and respiratory systems. It is also used in the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract infections and for inflammatoryrelated diseases and cancer. Phytochemical studies on fruits and leaves of fig have shown that they are rich in phenolics, organic acid and volatile compounds2. Extracts from different parts were demonstrated to possess a wide range of biological activities. Some of the most interesting therapeutic activities include: immunosuppressive3, antiinflammatory4, hepatoprotective5 , hypoglycemic6 and anticancer activities7.


One of the main problems in the computer analysis of natural language is understanding sentences beyond a surface level, i.e., making inferences about likely circumstances and drawing plausible conclusions. At the first level, a natural-language-understanding system can answer simple and trivial questions; in order to extend the domain of possible questions that it can answer, the system must make presuppositions and recognize implications that depend on certain events (also called actions). The IBM Rome Scientific Center has developed a prototype system that is able to make inferences about what might be true. This system has been integrated with a text-understanding system (System N), also developed at Rome.


This year Synlett will be 20 years young, and I feel somewhat nostalgic composing this editorial for the occasion. It was a little over 20 years ago that I was approached by Thieme Publishers to consider spearheading a new journal for synthetic organic chemistry. The idea was (vaguely) to create a sister journal to Synthesis, which had garnered a solid reputation as a reliable and high quality venue for full papers in advances in synthetic methods and total synthesis. The new publication was to complement these features by focusing on rapid communications. My gut response was "we already have too many journals", but my attention was piqued when it transpired that I would be given complete freedom in designing content, establishing a fast protocol for handling manuscripts, choosing co-editors, etc. One has to remember that at the time the number of journals solely devoted to organic synthesis was limited, processing a manuscript in the pre-internet era was cumbersome and slow, and involvement of publishers in the support of our discipline was uncommon and sporadic. Still sceptical about this venture, I proceeded to present the publishers with a list of stipulations without which the project was a non-starter. These included operating funds to enable the use of telephone, Fax, and FedEx to accelerate the reviewing process (eventually this turned into work stations for everybody), a low subscription price for libraries ($ 153!), even lower for individuals ($ 80), and lowest ones for students ($ 50), the institution of a major award (this became the Thieme-IUPAC Prize), a general commitment to support graduate students and postdoctorals in various ways, and high quality production of manuscripts (eventually including the free use of color). Moreover, I asked that the project be scrapped if it did not succeed. To my amazement, Thieme accepted these conditions without ado. Dear Readers,


A dump edge and vehicle proximity warning system is being developed at the Colorado School of Mines using GPS and wireless local area networks to improve the safety of off-highway trucks in open pit mines. After two years of research, software development, and testing in the laboratory, field tests are currently being carried out at operating limestone quarries and open pit mining operations to evaluate the effectiveness of the system under rugged operating conditions. This paper describes the progress made on this NIOSH-funded project and discuss, tests carried out recently, at the Morenci open pit copper mine in Arizona.


In linear equalization, time lag is an important parameter that significantly influences the performance. Only with the optimum time lag that minimizes the minimum-mean-square-error (MMSE), can we have best use of the available resources. Many designs, however, choose the time lag either based on pre-assumption of the channel or simply based on average experience. In this paper, we propose a novel variable time lag algorithm with the concept of pseudo fractional time lag. The proposed algorithm can converge to the optimum time lag in the mean and is verified by the numerical simulations provided in this paper.


Simple Summary This review discusses the role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in cancer epigenetics, mostly focusing on how deregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) alter the expression of cancer-promoting genes by targeting epigenetic factors to facilitate cellular malignancy. The potential for using ncRNAs as targets for early prognosis and for developing cancer therapies to be used in conjunction with current treatments is discussed. Abstract Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are untranslated RNA molecules that regulate gene expressions. NcRNAs include small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), transfer RNAs (tRNAs), circular RNAs (cRNAs) and piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). This review focuses on two types of ncRNAs: microRNAs (miRNAs) or short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). We highlight the mechanisms by which miRNAs and lncRNAs impact the epigenome in the context of cancer. Both miRNAs and lncRNAs have the ability to interact with numerous epigenetic modifiers and transcription factors to influence gene expression. The aberrant expression of these ncRNAs is associated with the development and progression of tumors. The primary reason for their deregulated expression can be attributed to epigenetic alterations. Epigenetic alterations can cause the misregulation of ncRNAs. The experimental evidence indicated that most abnormally expressed ncRNAs impact cellular proliferation and apoptotic pathways, and such changes are cancer-dependent. In vitro and in vivo experiments show that, depending on the cancer type, either the upregulation or downregulation of ncRNAs can prevent the proliferation and progression of cancer. Therefore, a better understanding on how ncRNAs impact tumorigenesis could serve to develop new therapeutic treatments. Here, we review the involvement of ncRNAs in cancer epigenetics and highlight their use in clinical therapy.


Opercular bones of 261 pike from the River Stour and 117 from the River Frome were used for age and back-calculated growth determinations. The annuli were laid down during late April and early May and most growth occurred between May and September. Pike growth in the two rivers was comparable with the fastest growth in other waters, though Frome pike grew slightly faster than Stour pike. Spawning occurred from the end of March into May. Elaboration of the ovaries commenced in September and was virtually completed by February, whereas the testes reached their maximum weight in October and maintained it until spawning. Immature pike had an annual cycle of condition reaching a maximum in May and a minimum during the winter. The gonad cycle affected the condition of mature females which had their minimum condition in mid-summer. The fecundity of Stour pike is expressed by the formula: log10 egg number =3.56 log10 fish length (mm) – 5.40. Approximately 75% of all Stour pike were sexually mature by age II and these fish were, on average, larger than immature pike of the same age. The most numerous items in the diet of pike were small cyprinids, 30–80 mm fork length, although pike over 700 mm long ate larger fish. Few salmonids appeared in the diet of either Frome or Stour pike. The percentage of empty stomachs was highest in Stour samples taken during the summer, shorter digestion times and longer feeding periods in this period are suggested as reasons for the apparent anomaly.


Adra lake (also known locally as 'Saheb Bandh'), is a relatively small raw water reservoir [Catchment area4.18 sq. kms, full reservoir level (FRL)-550.50 ft. and maximum water spread area ca. 2.5 sq. kms], located about 5 km. north of Adra, a Indian Railways township, in Purulia district (latitude 23 ° 42' N and longitude 87°01' E), West Bengal. The oligotrophic raw water lake serves as a source of drinking water for Indian Railways Divisional Headquarters township, located down stream. Limnology of raw water reservoir has not attracted as much attention in India (Srinivasan et. al., 1965). Saheb bandh is a well conserved, protected, managed drinking water reservoir and therefore, offered an interesting academic scope for initiating hydrobiological studies.


A significance map is a representation of positions of significant transform coefficients. In adaptive coding schemes, this map changes with the sample functions and a large fraction of code bits are used to encode it in low bit rate situations. In this paper, using the component variance as significance measure, a coding scheme is designed to reduce the number of code bits used for the significance map. Although it is a suboptimal approach, the performance is close to the rate distortion limit at a low bit rate. The result also justifies some earlier adaptive schemes using spectral entropy as an indicator of the number of coefficients to be coded.


A 69-year-old man visited our pulmonary medicine department for dyspnea. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed ground-glass opacity bilaterally in the lungs. Upon performing a transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), organizing pneumonia was diagnosed. His electrocardiogram revealed low voltage, and the cardiac ultrasound revealed hypertrophy of the interventricular septum. The patient had bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and amyloidosis was suspected. Congo red stain was added to the lung biopsy specimen. Amyloid deposition of transthyretin (ATTR) was positive, mutations with amino acid changes were not observed in the TTR gene. Wild-type ATTR Amyloidosis (ATTRwt amyloidosis) was diagnosed using a TBLB. Chest CT after treatment with steroids revealed diffuse alveolar-septal amyloidosis.


Inelastic deuteron scattering experiments with a target of 151Sm have been carried out with bombarding energies of 5 MeV and 12 MeV. The scattered deuterons were analyzed with a magnetic spectrogra...


OF DISSERTATION DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL CHEMICAL TOOLS FOR PROTEASOME BIOLOGY & A NEW APPROACH TO 1-AZASPIROCYCLIC RING SYSTEM The proteasome, a multiprotease complex, is clinically validated as an anticancer target by the FDA approval of bortezomib and carfilzomib for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The emergence of resistance to proteasome inhibitors however remains a major clinical challenge. Recently, distinct types of proteasomes termed 'intermediate proteasomes', which contain unconventional mixtures of catalytic subunits, have been implicated with drug resistance of tumor cells. In elucidating the role of intermediate proteasomes in drug resistance, a crucial step is to unequivocally determine the subunit composition of intermediate proteasomes in cells. With this in mind, the goal of the studies reported in this dissertation is to develop novel chemical tools which can facilitate the investigation of intermediate proteasomes via two complementary approaches: a FRET-based approach and a bifunctional cross-linking approach. Chapter 2 describes the structure-based design, synthesis, and characterization of a peptide epoxyketone-based fluorescent probe, named as LKS01-B650, which selectively targets the immunoproteasome subunit β5i/LMP7. In addition to its utility in determining the identity of intermediate proteasomes as FRET-based probe, this imaging agent may also serve as a valuable tool in visualizing the immunoproteasome in living cells. Chapter 3 describes the design and synthesis of various epoxyketone-based bifunctional agents. The ability of these bifunctional agents to cross-link different catalytic subunits within a proteasome complex is shown by mobility shift assays. These bifunctional agents may provide important information in determining the subunit composition of proteasomes. Chapter 4 describes a systematic study of the relationship between the proteasome inhibitor structure and the inhibitory activity against critical subunits of the proteasome. Given the reported role of β5i/LMP7 in autoimmune diseases, this study may provide useful insights in developing therapeutic agents for autoimmune diseases as well as other diseases. Chapter 5 describes a separate study which is not related to proteasome biology. A concise approach to synthesize 1-azaspirocyclic ring systems is developed by utilizing a novel semi-pinacol/Beckmann rearrangement. Additionally, an environmentally benign, microwave-assisted, and solvent-free self-condensation of carbonyl compounds is reported.


Active control of flexible rotors is a challenging issue in modern industries. This paper focuses on the synthesis of a mixed sensitivity robust controller for a linear parameter-varying (LPV) system. The objective is to control rotor vibration, especially when the rotor is passing the first two bending critical speeds. In the formulation of the problem for the controller, weighting functions are proposed based on the relationship between the desired shape of the open-loop transfer function and sensitivity functions of the closed-loop system. Recent research has highlighted the efficiency of mixed sensitivity robust controllers in stabilizing a wide range of magnetic bearing systems. Here, the method is extended to control the vibration of a piezoelectric bearing system. The experimental rotor features two unbalance-exited resonances within its operating range. Experimental results demonstrate good performance of the vibration reduction and the effectiveness of the design method.


This paper, sought to empirically evaluate the factors influencing time and cost overruns of the telecom tower construction projects in Ghana. It involved a cross-sectional survey that used a self-administered structured questionnaire administered to sixty seven respondents of telecom tower construction professionals. The study found 15 major factors influencing time overruns and 14 major factors causing cost overruns in telecom tower construction projects. It also revealed that telecom tower construction projects executed between 1992 and 2011 experienced as much as 82% time overruns, and the cost of the projects increased by 50%. The paper contributes to the general body of knowledge in the area of project management particularly in Ghana's construction industry. Recommendations are also made for clients, contractors and consultants to alleviate delays in the construction of telecom tower construction projects. Keywords: cost overruns, evaluation, telecom tower construction, time overruns


Continuous spin detonation (CSD) of fuel-air and fuel-oxygen mixtures in annular cylindrical combustors is intensely studied by many researchers. Up to now, investigations in plane-radial combustors (PRC) with exhaustion toward the periphery have been performed only in Russia. The first PRC for detonation combustion designed by Voitsekhovskii [1] was constricted at the exit and operated on a preliminary prepared acetylene-oxygen mixture. Investigations in the PRC with separate injection of the fuel and oxidizer and without constriction at the exit were continued at the Lavrentyev Institute of Hydrodynamics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (LIH SB RAS) [2-4]. In those studies, CSD and pulse detonation (PD) regimes were observed in acetylene-oxygen and hydrogen-oxygen mixtures in a PRC with an inner diameter (injector diameter) of 20 mm and outer diameter (exhaustion of detonation products) of 40, 60, or 80 mm. There is a recent publication of Higashi et al. [5] who obtained detonation regimes in experiments with a hydrogen-air mixture in a PRC connected to a compressor and a turbine. Previously, it was shown that the detonation combustion of acetylene-oxygen and hydrogen-oxygen mixtures in the regime of oxygen ejection [6] can be carried out in a flow-through annular cylindrical combustor with diameter of 100 mm and channel expansion. Similar regimes were obtained in the combustor with diameter of 306 mm for hydrogen and synthesis gas-air mixtures in the regime of air ejection [4,7]. In these papers, the authors obtained the regimes of CSD and PD, determined the conditions and limits of existence of these detonation regimes with respect to the geometry of combustor and the system of injection of mixture components, considered the structure of detonation waves and flow in their vicinity. The goal of the present paper is to obtain and study the structure of detonation waves in a PRC with exhaustion of gaseous hydrogen and oxygen flows toward the periphery and also to check the scale effect; the inner diameter of the combustor is dc1 = 100 mm and the outer diameter is varied in the interval dc2 = 120300 mm. Consider the modes of forced oxygen supply and its ejection.


Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) accounts for 75% of all childhood leukemias and 30% of all childhood cancers. Hearing loss (HL), a late effect of childhood cancer therapy, is mainly associated with ototoxic chemotherapeutics and cranial irradiation. In addition, using ototoxic drugs, like empirical antibiotics, including aminoglycosides, in patients experiencing febrile neutropenia adds to the ototoxicity risk.


Developments in the area of signature suppression make it progressively more difficult to recognize targets. Due to the high resolution of modern sensors it is necessary to focus on a wide range of target and partial target sizes, i.e. small structures as well as the whole target. Measures of the difference between targets and background are crucial when assessing signature reduction efforts. These measures should to some extent be associated with the process of detection of targets in background. Two approaches are feasible, trying to simulate human performance or using an autonomous sensor. In both cases we have to rely on a set of features discriminating targets from the background. In the spatial domain we need filters on different scales. The smallest filter will not be able to catch statistical features but has to be based on the use of small image parts like blobs and lines. Larger filter will give statistically relevant feature values. In addition, spectral properties can be used in a multi-dimensional approach investigating targets on different scales, i.e. from very low-resolution to well-resolved objects. Experiments with a new set of features and the use of linear discriminant analysis to get overall signature assessment values are described.


Short carbon fiber reinforced AZ91 magnesium alloy matrix composites have been made by stir casting technique. The microstructure and the fibre matrix interfacial region of the composites characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopes reveal uniform distribution of fiber in the matrix and good interfacial bonding respectively. Increase in compressive strength values are observed with increase in fiber content where as the room and high temperature (150°C) strength properties are found to decrease marginally. The microfractograph of the tensile fractured surface reveals mixed type of fracture.


In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: Keywords: Cognitive radio network Binary power allocation Distributed algorithm Capacity QoS Outage probability Scheduling a b s t r a c t Motivated by the desire for efficient spectral utilization, we present a novel algorithm based on binary power allocation for sum rate maximization in Cognitive Radio Networks (CRN). At the core lies the idea of combining multiuser diversity gains with spectral sharing techniques and consequently maximizing the secondary user sum rate while maintaining a guaranteed quality of service (QoS) to the primary system. We consider a cognitive radio network consisting of multiple secondary transmitters and receivers communicating simultaneously in the presence of the primary system. Our analysis treats both uplink and downlink scenarios. We first present a distributed power allocation algorithm that attempts to maximize the throughput of the CRN. The algorithm is simple to implement, since a secondary user can decide to either transmit data or stay silent over the channel coherence time depending on a specified threshold, without affecting the primary users' QoS. We then address the problem of user selection strategy in the context of CRN. Both centralized and distributed solutions are presented. Simulation results carried out based on a realistic network setting show promising results.


System (100) and method for failure recovery in a branched optical network is described. Depending on the disorder, the power distribution in the channel concerned to recover digital line segments, based on one or more system parameters, so that the merit function to a minimum, is adjusted.


Event cameras are biologically-inspired sensors that upend the framed, synchronous nature of traditional cameras. Singh et al. proposed a novel sensor design wherein incident light values may be measured directly through continuous integration, with individual pixels' light sensitivity being adjustable in real time, allowing for extremely high frame rate and high dynamic range video capture. Arguing the potential usefulness of this sensor, this paper introduces a system for simulating the sensor's event outputs and pixel firing rate control from 3D-rendered input images.


The article examines the nature, causes, and implications of inmate rehabilitation in Nigeria by explaining the Risk-Need-Responsivity model. The study reviewed secondary qualitative data, mostly a literature review, and it reinforced and added to the existing body of knowledge on inmate rehabilitation worldwide, particularly in Nigeria. The article finds that there are causes of congestion in the custodial center, such as overuse of imprisonment, a slow judicial process, insufficient prison capacity, a lack of adequate police investigation and prosecution, resource and operational efficiency, and a delay in the administration of justice. The paper adopts Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) theory to outline the process of the significance of rehabilitation towards inmates. The model emphasizes assessing and treating inmates according to their ability and risk of re-offending. The research applied a case study that examined the causes of custodial center congestion and identified the implications on inmate rehabilitation in Nigeria. The paper revealed that the consequences of custodial center congestion are spreading infectious disease, breakdown of social control, poor custodial center conditions, access to rehabilitation programs, and too much cost to the State. The study also explained various correctional facilities provide rehabilitation programs based on the criminogenic needs of the inmate, such as counseling programs, adult education, vocational programs, sports and leisure activities, and religious activities.
Keywords: Causes, Congestion, Implication, Inmate, Rehabilitation


In this article, we propose to interpret the online encyclopedia Wikipedia as an online setting in which collective memories about controversial and traumatic events are built in a collaborative way. We present the richness of data available on the phenomenon, providing examples of users' participation in the creation of articles related to the 2011 Egyptian revolution. Finally, we propose possible research directions for the empirical study of collective memory formation of traumatic and controversial events in large populations as they unfold over time.


One of the major scientific thrusts from recent years has been to try to harness quantum phenomena to dramatically increase the performance of a wide variety of classical information processing devices. These advances in quantum information science have had a considerable impact on the development of standoff sensors such as quantum radar. In this talk we will briefly describe recent theoretical research that suggests that by harnessing quantum phenomena we can improve standoff electromagnetic sensing using quantum radar. Indeed, quantum radar appears to be a feasible technology because of recent promising theoretical and experimental results regarding manipulation, entanglement, propagation, detection, and interferometry of quantum states. At the same time, many theoretical and experimental questions remain open (e.g., fast and efficient entanglement generation, single photon detectors, quantum signal processing, and quantum memories). Furthermore, it is important to notice that quantum radar is not intended to replace traditional radar systems, but to work together in order to leverage the benefits of both. Clearly, quantum radar appears to be a "high-risk / high-payoff" endeavor that deserves further scientific and engineering consideration, research, and discussion.


A specimen of the Red Sea pebble crab, Ixa monodi was collected in 2005 from the Bay of Gokova, on the Aegean coast of Turkey. This species, first collected in the Mediterranean in 1955 from the Bay of Mersin, SE Turkey, is quite common off the Israeli coast. In 1999 the species was collected off Rhodes Island, Greece, and the present record provides evidence of its dispersal in the Aegean Sea.


Objective – To estimate the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) by month of birth in Sweden. Materials and Methods – Cases (n = 9361) were obtained from the Swedish MS Registry. All births in Sweden 1900– 2007 served as controls (n = 12,116,853). The risk of MS was analyzed for each month of birth separately compared with birth during the other 11 months. Results – More (11%) cases with MS than expected were born in June. Fewer (8% and 10%) cases with MS than expected were born in December and January (non-significant after correction for multiple analyses). More (5%) cases with MS than expected were born in February–July as compared with August– January. Conclusions – This study supports previous results suggesting an association between the risk of MS and the season of birth. Decreased exposure to sun in the winter leading to low vitamin D levels during pregnancy is a possible explanation that needs further research. J. Salzer, A. Svenningsson, P. Sundstrçm


The radical changes in the structure of Australian broadcasting and the reasons for them are discussed. The importance of AUSSAT as being central to the transformation in Australia is highlighted.


An effective image retrieval needs efficient extraction of low-level features, and for this various methods have been recently proposed. Most of these methods use the histogram or some variation for representing colour and other descriptors which require significant amount of space and extra similarity calculation. Here, an efficient content based image retrieval (CBIR) system is proposed, which is based on the fusion of chromaticity-colour moments, and colour co-occurrence-based small dimension features using inverse variance weighted similarity measure. In this measure, property of the varying weights reduces the effect of redundancy and effectively retrieves relevant images. In addition, this paper also proposes a supervised query image classification and retrieval model by filtering out irrelevant class images using multiclass SVM classifier. Basically, this model recovers the category of query images, and this successful categorisation of images significantly enhances the performance and searching time of retrieval system. Descriptive comparative analyses confirm the effectiveness of this work. We obtained 83.83% and 76.9% average precision for 12 and 20 images retrieval using weighted similarity measure together with 85.6% average precision and 84.4% recall for classification framework.


This article describes the advanced public transportation system (APTS) developed for Beijing, China. The system features buses that are monitored in real-time, with global positioning system (GPS) and wireless data communication to control vehicles on different routes.


This paper proposed a two stage hybrid flowshop model to minimize the total tardiness of customer orders in a storage system.Several heuristics rules are developed,and their various combinations are compared to each other to select the best one for the initial solution of this problem.A tabu search method based on the selected rule combination is further used to optimize the processing sequence of operations on lane stackers.The computational experiments show the efficiency of the developed algorithm.


Objective:  Obesity is a significant public health problem in the United States, particularly among military veterans with multiple risk factors. Heretofore, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has not clearly been identified as a risk factor for this condition.


Complex systems made of nonlinear interacting cells are gaining ever and ever interest. An universal environment for the study these systems should provide to the user the possibility of defining the dynamics of the cells as well as the connections among them in a simple and flexible way. In this paper the main characteristics of E∧3, an universal emulator of complex systems, are discussed. This simulator is based on the paradigm of Cellular Nonlinear Network and makes use of parallel computing allowing to considerably extend the size of the simulated system. Each cell is conceived as a nth‐order dynamical system. Moreover, numerical results obtained by emulating a complex system made of a large number (more than 500000) of interacting chaotic units arranged in a 3D lattice are presented. These simulations show an emerging result: organized forms and structure arise from the dynamic evolution of such systems.


The concept of improved product quality and reduced costs has revolutionized analytical techniques in the polymer industry. It has brought in-line analysis to the forefront, with near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy proving to be a very viable technique for such operations. A system for continuous in-line near infrared monitoring of molten polymer blends, copolymers, and polymer reactions is being developed. The ultimate objective is to use this monitoring system to develop feedback control for polymeric processes. Experiments on blends of polystyrene and poly(phenylene oxide) have been performed by using a flow cell, located at the exit port of a single-screw extruder. Qualitative analysis of spectral data has been substantiated by a variety of quantitative (multivariate) techniques. Robust calibration models, suitable for on-line predictions, have been developed. The success of in-line process analysis depends on the performance of fiber-optic probes that are inserted into the process stream. These probes normally succumb to the demands of the rigorous process environment, typical of polymeric processes, i.e., high temperatures, high pressures, and adverse chemical conditions. Design and development of fiber-optic probes that are capable of withstanding such harsh conditions have also been undertaken. Results will be reported on the polymeric systems and optical probes.


In this paper, it takes digital matrix on the integral ring as an example, to investigate that the division algorithm can work in the scalar matrix, row matrix, invertible matrix, the same type of matrix, and the general matrix. Secondly, the conclusions of division algorithm are extended to the general number field.


Coloring technologies for magnesium alloy surface were reviewed.Spray painting coloring,anodizing-coloring,metal coating coloring and microarc oxidation coloring technologies were introduced respectively.The microarc oxidation coloring technology was focused on.Coloring mechanism,growing characteristics of the colored ceramic film and factors affecting the coloring reaction for coloring of magnesium alloy surface were analyzed.And the prospect of coloring technologies for magnesium alloy surface in future was analyzed as well.


Irish cinema has never been renowned for harbouring a vibrant underground or experimental film scene. There have been significant exceptions (most importantly, aspects of the Irish "First Wave" of the 1970s), but it's only in recent years that a body of films has emerged that offer a powerful rebuttal to that perception. While to announce a fully-fledged "movement" would be premature, it is safe to say that the work of Rouzbeh Rashidi, Maximilian Le Cain, Dean Kavanagh and Michael Higgins represent an important new direction in Irish cinema. Working without scripts and shooting primarily on video, with minimal and usually non-existent budgets, zero crew and casts typically drawn from friends and family, all four filmmakers have been developing at a prolific rate over the past few years. Between them, they have produced an astonishing 32 features and countless shorts since 2008--though it should be noted that Rashidi, who in 2012 alone directed 9 features and 76 short films, has been the most incredibly fertile contributor. All the filmmakers are members of the Experimental Film Society, an international organization founded by Rashidi in 2000 in his birthplace, Iran, and aiming "to produce and promote films by its members" who are "distinguished by an uncompromising, no-budget devotion to personal, experimental cinema." (1) For the most part, the films operate in an uncanny space between experimental and narrative film. On the one hand, they generally eschew plot and any conventional notion of "eventfulness" in favour of the immediate sensuousness of images and sounds and their juxtaposition--on the other hand, performers, locations, lighting and sound design are used to evoke affects and atmospheres more readily associated with genre cinema especially the horror film. Le Cain, also an accomplished critic, once wrote about David Lynch that he "frees the paranoia of noir from the straightjacket of narrative ... [drowning] the plot in a great tidal wave of emotion", and one can identify a similar impulse at work here. Le Cain adds that "the most unsettling aspect of [Lynch's work] is that the fear seems to come from a source that is deeper than the plot indicates." (2) It's this deeper level that these filmmakers mostly concern themselves with. As the title of Rashidi's recent, Arts Council-funded feature, HSP: There is No Escape from the Terrors of the Mind (2013), makes explicit, the unease evoked is existential rather than circumstantial: it's much more about the nature of perception, memory and consciousness than anything that can be resolved, or even expressed, through action or dialogue. Usually forsaking plot entirely to tackle these depths head-on, the films mostly seem to reside in a strange, subterranean world free of the typical "narrative" trappings of our daily life. Jobs, money, the State, even social interaction, are rarely visible. Instead, there are bodies and there are spaces, there are sensations and there are memories, and there is the coming-into-being and intermingling of each of these through processes of perception (and cinema). When language is foregrounded in these worlds --for example, in Higgins' Birds on a Wire (2011) or Rashidi's Bipedality (2010)--it is usually fragile and woefully insufficient, more resonant as another environmental sound than a medium of communication. Le Cain has described Bipedality, one of Rashidi's last films to feature extensive dialogues, as a study of "how inadequate language is to communicate feeling, or to grapple with the mysteries of existing in any given moment in relation to another person or simply to the world that surrounds one," a world that is, in contrast, "almost overwhelmingly vivid and sensuous." (3) It's our primal and problematic relationship to the world in this sense that each of these filmmakers focus on in different ways: not the world before the Word (in the sense of Stan Brakhage's "untutored eye") so much as a world beneath the Word, a subterranean field of sensations that is always available to us but which we can rarely share or articulate in social or verbal terms. …


Abstract In the 1960s a group of thirteen independent publishers of quality literature, brought together by the Spanish publisher Carlos Barral, founded two new literary prizes: the 'Prix Formentor' and the 'Prix des Editeurs'. This article focuses on the background of the 'Prix Formentor', which was designed to award first novels of young, promising authors. The function of this prize aimed to serve as an instrument for the large-scale launch of its winners on the international literary market. Specifically, this article investigates the winning authors' number of translations published abroad in order to highlight the extent to which the Prix Formentor was instrumental in the creation of international breakthroughs. As such, the establishment of these prizes mark the beginning of an era in which publishing companies begin to play a more active role in the 'symbolic' production of literature (a la Bourdieu). Following the work of Casanova, Shapiro and others, this investigation also provides nuanced observations of the power relations involved in the international exchange of literary texts.


Cavitation promotes a number of processes, such as extraction, emulsification, dispersion, degassing, diffusion, depolymerization, etc. Its true chemical effects (reactions involving oxidation, reduction and polymerization) are the result of free radicals formed in the cavitating liquid. These effects have been studied for some time but have so far been of no industrial importance because of high costs in comparison with already established procedures. Sonic extraction procedures have aroused special interest in the past. The polymerization and/or depolymerization processes are studied at present in some industrial laboratories. A few specific features of the cavitation process are unique and cannot easily be produced by other means. Cavitation is preceded by a homogenous or heterogenous nucleation process. The homogenous nucleation is an easily controlled process. One obvious application is to eliminate bumping in distillation and evaporation operations. The heterogenous cavitation is utilized in sonic i...


Background: Heller myotomy and laparoscopic fundoplication represents the best treatment option for esophageal achalasia, with effective short- and long-term success. However, treatment options in patients in whom primary surgery failed represent a real challenge. We present the resection of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) along with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction as a treatment alternative. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the course of 5 patients with achalasia undergoing the resection of the GEJ along with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction for recurrent dysphagia after Heller myotomy and fundoplication, with at least 1 year of follow-up. Symptoms questionnaire and minuted esophagogram before and after treatment were performed in all the patients. Results: Five patients underwent resection of the GEJ along with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction. All the patients had dysphagia and 60% had regurgitations. Eighty percent of the patients had more than one previous redo surgery and 100% had had multiple dilations. Preoperative contrast esophagram of 3 patients show Stage II disease (mild and mark dilated esophagus) and 2 patients with Stage III disease (one esophageal curve and severe dilation). Manometry confirmed the diagnosis. At a mean follow-up of 34 months, all the patients reported a marked improvement in dysphagia, with median overall satisfaction rating of 9 (range 7-10), no symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and good esophageal emptying in the postoperative contrast esophagram. Conclusions: The resection of the GEJ and Roux-en-Y reconstruction is an excellent treatment for recurrent dysphagia after Heller myotomy. All the patients reported a marked improvement of their dysphagia. No symptoms of GERD were documented after the surgery. This procedure should be taken into account as an alternative to esophagectomy for recurrent dysphagia.


Submitted for the MAR12 Meeting of The American Physical Society Response of High Optical Heterogeneity in Three Dimensional Solar Cells YUAN LI, Wake Forest University, XIANG WAN, University of Virginia, WENXIAO HUANG, WANYI NIE, Wake Forest University, HUIHUI HUANG, Wuhan University, DAVID CARROLL, Wake Forest University — The incident light throughout the cavity of three dimensional photovoltaic architecture is heterogeneous, and it may influence the cell's outputs, including the open circuit voltage, short current density, and fill factor and corresponding efficiency. In this work, an equivalent circuit for three dimensional solar cells was derived by an infinitesimal method, to model the response at different light distribution. Using this model, an upper bound was given to estimate the difference between two distributions, and this can show heterogeneous light has a similar effect on open circuit voltage (Voc) as well as that from homogeneous light while low heterogeneity. We further provided a method to predict the accurate Voc on very high optical heterogeneity, such that the optimum architecture can be found to design the three dimensional solar cells. Yuan Li Wake Forest University Date submitted: 11 Nov 2011 Electronic form version 1.4


• The International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility Demo Oriented NEutron Source (IFMIF-DONES) is a single-sited novel Research Infrastructure for  (1) generation of materials irradiation test data for design, licensing, construction and safe operation of the fusion demonstration power reactor (DEMO) and  (2) generation of data base for benchmarking of radiation responses of materials hand in hand with computational material science. • The irradiation capsule of the High Flux Test Module (HFTM) developed during IFMIF/EVEDA is now being adapted to the situation in IFMIF-DONES in the frame of the EUROfusion Early Neutron Source work package (WPENS). Due to limited extension of the neutron flux field, the use of small specimens is mandatory . IFMIF-DONES Plant configuration. D. Bernardi, et al, Fusion Engineering and Design, 2019,


The kidney is a primary target organ of the vitamin D endocrine system, and both vitamin D‐deficiency and vitamin D receptor (VDR) ablation lead to impaired renal functions. As an initial step to understand the molecular basis underlying the renal dysfunctions resulted from VDR inactivation, we used DNA microarray technology to search for changes in the gene expression profile in the kidney of VDR knockout mice. Three independent DNA microarray experiments were performed using Affymetrix GeneChips, which included two replicate comparisons between VDR null and wild‐type littermates, and a third comparison between 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3‐treated and vehicle‐treated wild‐type mice. Based on the assumption that VDR inactivation and vitamin D stimulation cause opposite changes in the expression of vitamin D target genes, we identified 95 genes that displayed the same changes in the two VDR‐null/wild‐type comparisons but an opposite change in the third assay, of which 28 genes were up‐regulated and 67 were down‐regulated in VDR null mice. These genes can be divided into several functional categories involved in vitamin D and steroid metabolism, calcium metabolism and signaling, volume and electrolyte homeostasis, signal transduction, transcriptional regulation, cell adhesion, metabolism, immune response, and other functions. These data provide a basis for further investigations into the molecular bases underlying the physiological abnormalities associated with VDR‐ and vitamin D‐deficiency. J. Cell. Biochem. 89: 709–719, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


AbstractThe following sections are included:IntroductionEnhanced Economic ChancesDevelopment of Multilateral Institutions and Frameworks in East AsiaAfter US Hegemony? A Balancer Role Between China and IndiaThree ConcernsJapan passing or nothingEnvironmental burdensPolitical instability as a result of widening economic gapThree ThreatsNPT dominosSino–US rivalryRusso–Chinese–Indian military triangleConclusion


investigated in this paper. Based on an equivalent circuit model of PEMFC stack and a 1 mechanism model for evaluating the LFCR effects on the PEMFC, this paper studies 2 primarily and systematically the comprehensive influences of LFCR and harmonics on 3 PEMFC performances and durability, such as (1) degrading the PEMFC performance, 4 (2) shortening the lifetime of PEMFC, (3) reducing the stack output power, (4) lowing 5 its availability efficiency, (5) producing more heat and raising the PEMFC temperature, 6 (6) consuming more fuel, and (7) decreasing the fuel utilization. Finally, a Horizon 300 7 W PEMFC stack is implemented and tested. 8


The optical purity diethyl trans-3,3-dimethylcyclopropane dicarboxylate was prepared via oxidation of(1R,3R)-ethyl trans-3-formyl-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate with silver oxide and esterification with ethanol.Meanwhile,(1R,2R)-trans-3,3-dimethyl-cyclopropane dicarbonyl chloride was synthesized through halogenation between SOCl_2 and the optical trans-3,3-dimethylcyclopropane dicarboxylic acid which could be achieved from hydrolysis of(1R,3R)-trans-3-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid with sodium hydroxide.Furethermore,effects of the dosage of sodium hydroxide and reaction temperature on the optical purity of the products were also investigated.


1 The work has been supported by Agency for Defense Development in Korea. Abstract – The magnetically insulated line oscillator (MILO) which can generate the high-power microwave of gigawatt level draws an attention due to its compact size, high efficiency capability and light weight because of no-need of external insulation magnetic field. The effort to enhance the efficiency of MILO operated at π-mode has been made by several researchers. One of the main issues is the effective extraction of generated microwave power. A tapered structure can adjust the group velocity of the generated wave at π-mode to propagate effectively. For effective power extraction, the tapered structure should be well-matched to a transformer from slow-wave structure to coaxial transmission line and microwave mode converter from TM01 mode to TEM mode. The numerical study for the efficient operation is underway using various computational codes such as MAGIC PIC code and MWS (Microwave Studio). The simulation works by other groups is benchmarked by PIC code, MAGIC. Along with the circuit study, a design of a pulsed power machine of 500 kV, 30 kA in 100nsec pulse duration using Blumlein pulse forming line is being prepared for future experimental study.


Some of the most difficult issues in spinal cord injury (SCI) medicine occur when existential questions arise, for example, when is life with SCI not worth living? As a static, nonprogressive disability, high levels of SCI are usually compatible with a long lifespan—even when a ventilator is required to sustain life. As a form of life-sustaining treatment, a ventilator—like any other medical treatment—can be freely chosen or rejected by a competent patient. But what are the minimum standards for competency (or decision-making capacity), and how much does a new patient need to know about life with SCI to make a fully informed decision? For a patient who has lived with SCI for a while and now despairs due to a lack of options or social supports, is a decision to be removed from a ventilator an act of authentic autonomy or a forced choice due to social injustices? This article explores these issues in some depth and offers SCI health care professionals some suggestions for helping patients navigate these dif...


Summary
The reactions of two organic (citrate and fulvate) and two inorganic (chloride and phosphogypsum) calcium compounds were studied during leaching of columns of unsaturated acidic soil. The potential of these compounds to decrease the aluminium concentration in the soil solution and remove exchangeable aluminium, and their effects on soil acidity are described.

The calcium citrate solution increased the soil solution pH from 5 to a maximum value of 7 in the upper portion of the column. In contrast, the fulvate, calcium chloride and phosphogypsum solutions had little effect on soil-solution pH. Treatment with calcium citrate, or fulvate solution that contained 51 mm Na, removed most of the exchangeable aluminium from the column. The cation exchange sites in the upper portion of the column were saturated with calcium, and the cation exchange capacity of the soil was increased from 35 to c. 80 mmolc kg−1 in the calcium citrate treatment. Leachate from this treatment contained low (< 2 mm) calcium concentrations and high aluminium concentrations. In contrast, the above changes were not shown by the calcium chloride and phosphogypsum treatments. In these treatments the calcium concentration in the leachate was equal to that in the inflowing solution, which indicated that calcium was transported through the entire column. These results suggest that calcium alone was ineffective in displacing aluminium from the cation exchange sites and a strong complexing agent such as citrate or fulvate is needed to mobilize the exchangeable aluminium.


Rather sudden and extensive refractive changes in the presence of acute chalazia of the upper lids have been observed in three cases during the last two years. Careful examination and extended observation did not reveal any cause other than the influence of the chalazia. REPORT OF CASES Case1.—A white man, aged 43, was first seen on Sept. 17, 1928, at which time the vision was normal in each eye with +0.25 D. sph., +0.37 D. cyl., axis 25 for the right eye and +0.25 D. sph., +0.25 D. cyl., axis 90 for the left. A cycloplegic was not used. On Dec. 22, 1931, the vision in each eye was normal with +0.25 D. cyl., axis 180 in the right and +0.25 D. cyl., axis 145 in the left eye with an addition of +0.75 sph. for reading. On Aug. 8, 1932, the patient came in with a subacute


This application is intended to describe tungsten oxo alkylidene complexes for olefin metathesis. The present invention provides a compound having the structure of any of the formulas described herein, wherein said compound is a 14e tungsten oxo alkylidene complex. In some embodiments, the complex is a syn isomer. The present invention also provides a compound having the structure of any of the formulas described herein, wherein said compound is a 16e tungsten oxo alkylidene complex.


The equation pn = an cos p0, where p is a positive integer, (the results remain valid if we replace cos pG by sin p0) n is a positive odd integer, p is the principal root of pn, are generalizations of the equation of rose curves to which they reduce if n = 1. We wish to consider the area enclosed by curves of this type. If p is odd there are p leaves and if p is even there are 2p leaves. THEOREM 1. For every k the area enclosed by pn = an cos (2k + 1)0 is /n + 2\ / 2n) a2. 2 (n+1)


The 20 kt Liquid Scintillator (LS) JUNO detector is being constructed by the International Collaboration in China, with the primary goal of addressing the question of neutrino mass ordering (hierarchy). The main challenge for JUNO is to achieve a record energy resolution, ∼ 3% at 1 MeV of energy released in the LS, which is required to perform the neutrino mass hierarchy determination. About 20 000 large 20′′ PMTs with high Photon Detection Efficiency (PDE) and good photocathode uniformity will ensure an approximately 80% surface coverage of the JUNO detector. The JUNO collaboration is preparing equipment for the mass tests of all PMTs using 4 dedicated containers. Each container consists of 36 drawers. Each drawer will test a single PMT. This approach allows us to test 144 PMTs in parallel. The primary measurement in the container will be the PMT response to illumination of its photocathode by a low-intensity uniform light. Each of the 20000 PMTs will undergo the container test. Additionally, a dedicated scanning system was constructed for sampled tests of PMTs that allows us to study the variation of the PDE over the entire PMT photocathode surface. A sophisticated laboratory for PMT testing was recently built. It includes a dark room where the scanning station is housed. The core of the scanning station is a rotating frame with 7 LED sources of calibrated short light flashes that are placed along the photocathode surface covering zenith angles from the top of a PMT to its equator. It allows for the testing of individual PMTs in all relevant aspects by scanning the photocathode and identifying any potential problems. The collection efficiency of a large PMT is known to be very sensitive to the Earth Magnetic Field (EMF), therefore, understanding the necessary level of EMF suppression is crucial for the JUNO Experiment. A dark room with Helmholtz coils compensating the EMF components is available for these tests at a JUNO facility. The Hamamatsu R12860 20′′ PMT is a candidate for the JUNO experiment. In this article the container design and mass-testing method, the scanning setup and scanning method are briefly described and preliminary results for performance test of this PMT are reported.


The Humanities section of the February 12 issue of Neurology® included an article titled "Lucky and the root doctor." In this piece, the author describes his previous encounters with a black patient and his wife, and recounts dialogues in which the author is introduced to some of the patient's health beliefs, which differ widely from his own. Unfortunately, and perhaps unintentionally, the piece frames these interactions in the context of a highly problematic portrayal of race. Many Neurology readers reacted to the article, expressing concern over the negative racial overtones and calling for immediate corrective action. The article was quickly retracted, and a formal letter of apology and action plan was subsequently issued by the editor-in-chief of Neurology.1


Introduction: Service-Learning (SL), also known as community-based learning, is an innovative pedagogical practice that combines services addressing the needs of the community with learning opportunities offered to students, in the context of their civic development and participation. Due to the instrumental and innovative nature of the SL in targeting both the socio-professional development of students and the community needs, there is an increased interest for the implementation of SL programs in higher education institutions. Recent analysis of the of the readiness and awareness toward SL practices at Babes-Bolyai University (BBU), which is the largest state universities in Romania, indicate an expressed need of the academic personnel toward SL training programs. A SL training curricula is currently being tested at BBU within an Erasmus + project (www.slihe.eu), with promising results in terms of the interest toward SL implementation of the first generation of trained academic members. The qualitative analysis of the post-SL training reflections indicate the need to include an interdisciplinary learning objective (LO) in the existing structure of the program, addressing the neurobiological and evolutionary explanations of the benefits of helping others. Objective: The aim of this paper is to perform a systematic analysis of the literature in order to outline an interdisciplinary LO to be included in the existing SL training curricula for academic personnel, that could facilitate not only a better understanding of the benefits of the community-oriented pedagogy, but also the motivation for social participation. Method: A systematic review protocol was used, following the procedures described in the literature. The reviewed articles were selected from the ISI Web of Knowledge, ProQuest and ScienceDirect, based on the searching keywords: "neurobiology of helping", "evolutionary mechanism of volunteering", "benefits of volunteering", "benefits of SL". A number of 14 articles were included in the final analysis. Results: Following the qualitative literature analysis, the proposed LO refers to the interdisciplinary approach to the mechanisms behind helping others in the context of SL – from neurobiology to behavior. The content of the LO is placed within the frame of the human tendency to help others in need, which has been subject to trans-, inter- and multidisciplinary studies of the mechanisms and adaptive significance of human prosocial behavior. A key target for analysis of the neurobiological underpinnings of community-oriented activities is the endogenous opioid system (EOS), focussing on the research-informed effects of helping others on the mental and physical health of the helpers. The LO introduces the idea of the EOS as a potential mediator of community-oriented activities, with special attention on the structured type of volunteering, which is an important component of the SL strategy. Evidence of the congruence between EOS involvement in social group behavior and social bonding and the role of these phenomena in community-oriented volunteerism is reviewed. Models and empirical evidence of the mechanisms and adaptive value of helping unrelated others are discussed and integrated in the context of community-oriented pedagogy, including the mammalian caregiving system, the neurobiological model of prosocial behavior, synchrony promoting social bonding, and stress-driven motivation of prosocial action in immediate needs.


Mass transfer process during the reaction of citric acid with calcite was investigated using the rotating disk apparatus. The effects of disk rotational speed and temperature on the diffusion coefficient of citric acid were examined. Using the rotating disk apparatus, the calcite dissolution in 7.5 wt% citric acid solutions was measured at different temperatures, (25, 40, 50°C). The reaction of citric acid with calcite is mainly dependent on disk rotational speed, and the temperature value. For example, at 50°C, the reaction is masstransfer limited at 500 rpm, while it is reaction-limited below these rotational speeds. Calcium citrate formation is also dependent on the rotational speed. More calcium citrate forms at high rotational speeds. The effective diffusion coefficient of citric acid was calculated based on the rotating disk theory. The effective diffusion coefficient of citric acid was found to be a function of the interplay between the calcium citrate precipitation and the presence of the counter calcium ions. At an initial acid concentration of 7.5 wt%, the effects of calcium citrate precipitation and counter calcium ions were significant and the reported citric acid diffusion coefficients were not comparable with its measured effective diffusion coefficients using the rotating disk. The effect of temperature on the diffusion coefficient of citric acid at a constant citric acid concentration was found to follow Arrhenius law, and the activation energy is equal to 37.9 kJ/mol.


In order to study on genetic mechanism of growth period in soybean,a genetic linkage map of 20 linkage groups was constructed using 143 recombinant inbred lines(RILs)from soybean.Charleston×Dongnong 594.Combining the map with composite interval mapping method,6 QTLs controlling vegetative period were mapped on linkage groups A1,H,K,N;6 QTLs for reproductive period were identified,of these,reA1-2,reH,reK,reN also affecting vegetative growth;in whole growth period,8 QTLs significantly affecting maturity were identified,among them,5 QTLs could explain more than 20% phenotypic variation.


The article considers the situation of Italy in the wake of the international financial and economic crisis. It is in particular stressed that Italy was already in a critical position before 2007-2008, mainly due to insufficient economic growth. The main reason for the country's low performance is identified in the insufficient expenditure on research and development, which caused innovation to slow down. JEL Codes: O31, G01, O40 Keywords: Italy, growth, crisis, innovation


The present invention is to improve the tracking error characteristic multiband receiver. Setting a variable frequency oscillation circuit, the oscillation signal of the variable frequency oscillation circuit (SVCO) by dividing the frequency of the variable frequency divider circuit (39), the reception signal SRX is frequency-converted using the local oscillation signal (an SLO) becomes an intermediate frequency signal mixer circuit (SIF) with (15I) and (15Q). The variable frequency divider circuit (39) divided output to the mixer circuit (15I) and (15Q) as a local oscillation signal (SLO). When the first reception frequency band, by changing the variable frequency divider circuit (39) frequency dividing ratio n and the oscillation frequency of the variable frequency oscillating circuit changes the reception frequency of the first frequency band. Upon receiving the second frequency band, by changing at least the variable frequency oscillation circuit the oscillation frequency of the reception frequency is changed to the second frequency band.


In their Policy Forum "Putting a value on injuries to natural assets: The BP oil spill" (21 April, p. [253][1]), R. C. Bishop et al. discuss a study designed to assign monetary value to the assets harmed in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill ([ 1 ][2]). In the study, survey respondents were asked


The principal aim of this study was to determine if boar spermatozoa influence the expression of four selected chaperone and heat‐shock protein (HSP) genes—namely clusterin (CLU), HSP90AA1, HSPA5, and HSPA8—in oviductal epithelial cells (OECs) during in vitro co‐culture. All corresponding proteins of these genes were previously identified in a sperm‐interacting, 70‐kDa soluble fraction derived from apical plasma membranes of OECs. The present study also sought to determine whether or not: (i) spermatozoa must directly bind to OEC for an effect on gene expression to be elicited and (ii) reproductive and nonreproductive epithelial cell types (LLC‐PK1, pig kidney) respond equivalently, in terms of alterations in chaperone and HSP gene expression, during co‐culture with sperm. Spermatozoa induced a significant upregulation (P < 0.05) in HSP90AA1 and HSPA5 in OECs after 3 hr, and in HSPA8 after 6 hr of co‐culture when they were in direct contact with epithelial cells. Conversely, no upregulation of HSP transcription was observed when spermatozoa did not directly bind to OECs. Spermatozoa also induced a significant upregulation (P < 0.05) of the same three genes when in direct contact with LLC‐PK1 cells, but the timing occurred later than with OECs. Interestingly, the extent of HSP gene upregulation induced by direct contact of spermatozoa with epithelial cells was dependent on sperm‐binding index and on the viability and morphological quality of the bound sperm population. In conclusion, the upregulation of HSP genes caused by direct contact between spermatozoa and OECs, rather than nonreproductive epithelial cells, suggests HSPs could play an integral role in the modulation of sperm function in the oviductal reservoir. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 81: 805–819, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


: Based on the calculation of the single-factor impact values of the parameters of a triple tower-type solar desalination unit on the cost of fresh water production by utilizing a single-factor analyzing method, the influences of the cost of solar heating system, the cost of hot water tank, the costs of desalination unit and electrical power, the life time of solar desalination unit and the yearly yield of fresh water, on the cost of the fresh water production of the solar desalination unit are studied. It is helpful for the further investigation of solar desalination and for reducing the cost of fresh water production for solar desalination units.


Data is growing at unprecedented rate and has led to huge volume generated; the data sources include mobile, internet and sensors. This voluminous data is generated and updated at high velocity by batch and streaming platforms. This data is also varied along structured and unstructured types. This volume, velocity and variety of data led to the term big data. Big data has been premised to contain untapped knowledge, its exploration and exploitation is termed big data analytics. This literature reviewed platforms such as batch processing, real time processing and interactive analytics used in big data environments. Techniques used for big data are machine learning, Data Mining, Neural Network and Deep Learning. There are big data architecture offerings from Microsoft, IBM and National Institute of Standards and Technology. Big data potentials can transform economies and reduce running cost of institutions. Big data has challenges such as storage, computation, security and privacy


The experiments reported in this thesis have investigated the role of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in the process by which conditioned stimuli (CS) acquire motivational salience and, as conditioned reinforcers, direct cocaine-seeking behaviour in the rat. Excitotoxic lesions of the BLA did not interfere with the reinforcing effects of cocaine in rats. Intra-peritoneal injections of cocaine produced similar locomotor responses in both lesioned and control animals and both groups also produced equivalent dose-response functions during a withinsession dose-response test. Similarly, lesioned and control animals acquired cocaine self-administration under both continuous and progressive-ratio schedules of reinforcement. However, BLA-lesioned animals were (i) severely impaired in the acquisition of second-order schedules of cocaine self-administration; (ii) more sensitive than control animals to reductions in drug dose under a progressive-ratio schedule of cocaine self-administration and (iii) less sensitive than control animals to the omission of a drug-related CS, under a fixed-interval schedule of self administration. In vivo microdialysis showed that lesions of the BLA were associated with an impaired glutamatergic response to intra-nucleus accumbens infusions of cocaine, but that the dopaminergic response of lesioned and control animals of were identical. These findings suggest that drug-seeking behaviour in rats with lesions of the BLA is influenced more by the primary reinforcer and concomitantly less by secondary, conditioned reinforcers. This would indicate that the BLA is significantly involved in the development of cue-elicited drug-seeking behaviour and, by inference, this structure may also play an important role in the development of problem drug-use in humans. The role of the basolateral amygdala in cocaine self-administration and cocaineseeking behaviour Chapter 1: Introduction Investigation of the aetiology of addiction and of the neural substrates of drug-seeking behaviour have become important areas of neuroscience research (Koob 1992). Numerous influential figures including scientists and physicians endorsed the use of cocaine as a panacea and local anaesthetic during the late 19th and early 20th century and the popular opinion of cocaine as safe and glamorous drug have been contrived and promoted by numerous American media sources, as recently as the early 1980's (Byck 1987; Gawin 1991). Although the hazards of chronic cocaine use were noted by Freud in the 1880s and thoroughly documented in the 1920s, the recreational use of cocaine has periodically swung in and out of fashion for more than 100 years. The escalating demand for, and usage of, psychomotor stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamine has created serious socio-economic problems for many western countries. Despite the absence of firm evidence for the development of true physiological dependence to this class of drug (Wise 1987; Koob and Bloom 1988; Jaffe 1992), there is now a growing body of literature which supports the view that psychological factors are critically involved in the development and maintenance of problem drug use (O'Brien et al. 1992; Grant et al. 1996; Mass et al. 1998). One approach to the study of drug reinforcement processes is to develop models of drug self-administration in laboratory animals. Cocaine is readily self-administered by both primates and rodents which have been surgically prepared with chronicintravenous catheters (Goldberg and Tang 1977; Caine et al. 1992). Using this technique it is possible to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the rewarding properties of a drug and to assess the development of drug-seeking behaviour. It is now widely agreed that the nucleus accumbens (Nacc) and ventral striatal dopaminergic system are significantly involved in the mediation of the rewarding properties of psychomotor stimulants (Zito et al. 1985; Koob et al. 1987; Koob and Weiss 1990; Cador et al. 1989; Everitt et al. 1989, Robbins et al. 1989; Corrigal and Cohen 1989; McGregor and Roberts 1993; Fontana et al. 1993; Pesold and Treit 1995; Wilson et al. 1994). However, the exact neural substrates and processes by which drug addiction develops are as yet unclear. In addition to physiological alterations which arise following repeated drug use (such as sensitisation and tolerance) and which are exacerbated during periods of drug withdrawal, conditioning is thought to be an essential determinant of dmg-seeking behaviour. Robinson and Berridge (1993) have suggested that repeated drug administration enhances the formation of conditioned associations and consequently increases the potential of drug related cues to elicit drugseeking behaviour, while the perceived rewarding efficacy of the drug are simultaneously reduced through the development of tolerance to the drug's effects. They proposed (Robinson and Berridge 1993) that addiction occurs as a result of this dissociation between the subjective rewarding effects and the sensitised desire for drug. In support of this hypothesis, drug users report enhanced subjective feelings of craving following exposure to drug-related cues such as drug paraphernalia, money, dealers, drug associated environments or video footage of drug preparation (Gawin 1991; Ehrman 1992; Childress et al. 1996; Grant et al. 1996; Mass et al. 1998). Such cues have also been identified as contributing to the propensity to relapse in human subjects who attempt to give up their drug-taking habit (Childress et al. 1987,1988; Elu'man 1992; Grant et al. 1996; Mass et al. 1998). Understanding the mechanisms by which arbitrary cues gain motivational significance and come to elicit powerful control over drug-seeking behaviour will increase the likelihood of finding both pharmacological and clinical solutions for the current explosion of problem drug use. Psychomotor Stimulants Cocaine and amphetamine are reported to produce intense feelings of well being and euphoria in humans and show clear dose related behavioural effects in primates and rats (Woods et al. 1987; O'Dell et al. 1996). Low doses of psychomotor stimulants produce increased locomotor activity in the rat whereas higher doses induce stereotyped behaviours (such as repetitive head movements, sniffing or grooming). Although cocaine has a considerably shorter half-life than amphetamine and also has anaesthetic properties, both of these drugs show high abuse potential in humans and are readily self-administered by many laboratory animals. Psychomotor stimulants produce their effects by modifying the transmission of central neurotransmitters including excitatory amino acids (EAA's), acetylcholine and the monoamines dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT). Psychomotor stimulants are distinguished from other stimulants (strychnine. pentylenetetrazol) by their ability to activate locomotor activity (Wise 1989). As potent catecholamine agonists, both cocaine and amphetamine act to enhance postsynaptic DA-ergic stimulation but, despite producing similar overall effects on extracellular DA levels, they do not share the same neuropharmacological mechanisms. Amphetamine directly stimulates the release of DA, NA and 5-HT pre-synaptically and may act directly on DA receptors, vyhereas cocaine blocks presynaptic DA reuptake by binding to the respective DA, NA and 5-HT transporter molecules (Woods et al. 1987; Cervo and Samanin 1994). This subtle distinction may have implications for the acquisition and development of cocaine abuse (Graybiel et al. 1990). Although enlianced DA stimulation is considered to be the key to psychomotor stimulant reinforcement (Wise 1987), it is likely that additional more complex neuropharmacological processes are involved. Tricyclic antidepressants also produce catecholamine reuptake blockade but, unlike cocaine, fail to act as reinforcers and do not stimulate locomotor activity in rats (Woods et al. 1987). Conditioned Reinforcement A motivationally neutral stimulus that is reliably paired with a primary reinforcer, such as water, food or drug, may gain motivational significance and subsequently act as a conditioned reinforcer (OR) (Mackintosh 1974, 1983). As a CR, this previously neutral stimulus may act to maintain specific patterns of behaviour (such as responding for sucrose solution) in the absence of a primary reward (sucrose solution). Much work has been carried out to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying motivational states and incentive motivational processing (Taylor and Robbins 1984, 1986; Cador et al. 1989; Everitt et al. 1989; Robbins et al. 1989; Bums et al. 1991; Everitt and Robbins 1992). Ultimately, by pinpointing the specific neural circuits that mediate these processes, it may be possible to synthesise pharmacological compounds which selectively target and disable the formation of unwanted, conditioned associations. Many of the experiments listed above involve conditioned reinforcement paradigms, in which rats are trained to associate a neutral stimulus (e.g. a brief light presentation) with a natural reward (such as food, water or sexual activity). Through association, a motivationally neutral stimulus may acquire motivational properties, similar to that of the primary reward, and thus become a conditioned stimulus (CS). When an animal is willing to repeat a novel behaviour (such as lever pressing) to gain exposure to the CS in the absence of the primary reward, the CS can be defined as a conditioned reinforcer (CR) which may influence or direct the animal's behaviour (Mackintosh 1974,1983). Recently, it has become clear that control over behaviour by a CR is enhanced by activation of the ventral striatal dopamine system and possibly the interaction of glutamatergic limbic efferents at this site (Bums et al. 1994). Taylor and Robbins (1984) demonstrated that micro-infusions of d-amphetamine into the Nacc of thirsty rats selectively increased responding for a CR which had previou


An examination of transition states in organic liquid-phase reactions including reactant and solvent molecules as Prigogine dissipative structures allowed us to derive a mathematical expression for a so-called linear isokinetic correlation between activation parameters.


There is still debate as to whether pulmonary vein isolation should be the first-line treatment in symptomatic patients with atrial fibrillation.
Recently, two other strong arguments for yes, occurred.
At the Congress of the European Society of Cardiology, the results of two randomized, multicentre studies were presented: Cryo-FIRST and STOP-AF FIRST. In the above studies, balloon cryoablation (without prior antiarrhythmic treatment attempt) was associated with a statistically significant reduction of arrhythmia recurrences compared to the control group treated with AA drugs. Importantly, it was also associated with a comparable safety profile.


CZTS (Cu2ZnSnS4) based solar cell has many advantages as its materials are earth abundant and low cost. However, its efficiency is low compared with other thin film solar cells. Enhancing efficiency of CZTS solar cell could be achieved using nanostructures for controlling light propagation using nanophotonics techniques. Recently, metamaterial has been used widely for guiding and confining electromagnetic waves over entire wave- length range. Cross grating metasurface would be possible for reducing light reflection and increasing generated photocurrent inside CZTS solar cells. Herein, we studied theoretically effect of using different plasmonic cross grating metasurface above or below CZTS active layer. Then, we replaced plasmonic material with all dielectric metasurface to compare how light losses inside metasurface would reduce and light coupled to CZTS active layer increase. Moreover, we studied how using dielectric coating for metasurface would increase or decrease active layer light absorption. Our findings indicate that, light absorption enhancement in CZTS active layer is largely depend on material, coated material, dimension and pitch of proposed cross grating wires. Our results suggest certain nanostructure to be used for getting better photocurrent and efficiency. All proposed nanostructures done in this study made in three-dimensional using finite element method simulation tool, and use measured solar spectrum as input power. Using proposed cross grating metasurface with suggested material coating, would enhance overall efficiency of CZTS solar cells.


In the nuclear engineering, you have to manage time and precision. Especially in shielding design, you have to be more accurate and efficient to reduce cost (shielding thickness optimization), and for this, you use 3D codes. In this paper, we want to see if we can easily applicate the CADIS methods for design shielding of small pipes which go through large concrete walls. We assess the impact of the WW generated by the 3D-deterministic code ATTILA versus WW directly generated by MCNP (iterative and manual process). The comparison is based on the quality of the convergence (estimated relative error (σ), Variance of Variance (VOV) and Figure of Merit (FOM)), on time (computer time + modelling) and on the implement for the engineer.


The category of "Apocrypha" depends on a perception of the canonical Bible as a closed and definitive book of sacred texts, set apart from other writings. But before the biblical canon was established, early Jewish writers imagined Scripture in radically different ways, as vast bodies of heavenly writing that were never fully accessible. Considering evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls and other literature reveals this surprisingly widespread belief about sacred writing: it is not contained in any specific collection, but much of it is hidden from view—illustrating a different way that texts could be "apocryphal" in the religious imagination.


BMA leaders have urged the government to boost funding for child and adolescent mental health services across the country after lamenting the "unacceptable" overnight detention of children in police cells because of bed shortages.

The association's annual representative meeting in Liverpool unanimously passed a motion that said, "This meeting . . . deplores the ongoing practice of …


In article the analysis of the high-rise buildings and constructions deformation processes geodesic monitoring method is provided. The purpose of geodetic monitoring consists in surveying technology use including a processing and comparing algorithm of observations cycles results on the selected clusters and providing monitoring of the object deformed status on all it surface. The analysis and synthesis of domestic and foreign experience of high-rise buildings and constructions deformation processes geodesic monitoring was carried out. Advantage of the geodesic monitoring methods using a surface laser scanning technology allowing increasing safety in case of high-rise buildings construction and operation is shown.


Most common monomode tunable laser diodes use carriers injection to change a bulky semi-conductor material's optical index (through absorption), with the aim of switching the emission wavelength, thanks to the phasis comb spectrum or Bragg filtering evolution. This index change existe in the active, phase and Bragg section. Independently, current injection in a laser diode involves the existance of a fundamental shot noise and of excess 1/f noise. This noise power creates optical index fluctuations in all of the 3 sections, and so modulates the laser's light field. As there is a close link between absorption and refraction index in semiconductors, through Kramers-Kronig relationships this modulation has an influence on both phase and amplitude of the laser field. The aim of this paper is to establish the correlations existing between electrical shot noise and 1/f noise of the tuning sections and the laser field's optical noise.


The present invention relates to a coil-product gwonbu pressed mark automatic removal device provided in the rolling equipment for pickling steel (Pickled and Oiled Strip). The present invention is equipped on a rolling equipment for pickling steel (Pickled and Oiled Strip), in the apparatus for preventing the marks formed within gwonbu coil by a tip end thickness of the coil product, coil around the path is located on the rear side of the short-term jeoseok rotating at a picture states; Moving means for moving the jeoseok in the width direction of the coil plate; And lifting means for raising the front end of the coil plate toward the rotating jeoseok; Provided by, by the jeoseok is configured to polish the oblique end face of the wedge shape of the leading end of the coil plate, wherein the lifting means is located at the lower side of the gate-form frame, a plurality of for lifting the front end of the coil plate to provided with a lifting cylinder, the rods by being fitted to enable each sliding movement in a guide groove formed perpendicularly on the bottom is the other hand, the W steel plate is a guide projection formed in the both sides of gate-form frame fixed to the V steel, the lifting cylinder is operated to provide a depression in gwonbu mark automatic removal of the coil the product unit (108) the lifting plate is raised to raise the front end of the coil plate. According to the present invention, the effect of improving the front end of the coil plate to be automatically inclined grinding by preventing depression marks caused by the steel plate front end for naegwon portion of the coil products effective in preventing quality defects of the steel sheet product wound in a coil-like It is obtained. Pickling the steel sheet (Pickled and Oiled Strip), within the coil gwonbu, pressed marks, jeoseok, wedge-inclined surface, pressed marks automatic removal device


Historically, individuals with cognitive problems such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), and other forms of dementia, have had little say in determining the course of their own lives. Assumptions have been made by professional caregivers, family, friends, and government agencies (such as those responsible for social and health services), that people with AD, even in the early stages, are incapable of enunciating their own concerns and speaking on their own behalf But times are changing and a growing number of people with dementia are developing organizational forums that will allow their voices to be heard. This project examines the development process of one such forum - support and self-help groups. The project is set within an emancipatory framework and is undertaken in the hopes that it will contribute to the empowerment and self-determination of persons with AD. The development process of a new support and self-advocacy group for people with early stage AD, established in Prince George in September 1999, is examined utilizing a case study format. A review of the literature relating to the formation of support and self-help groups for persons with cognitive problems both in Canada and internationally is presented, along with a case description of the formative months of the Prince George group (for which the author is a co-facilitator). A critical, retrospective case analysis of the group's development process is undertaken. Major themes, including new ageism, empowerment, group theory, practice challenges and policy issues, are identified and examined. A comparative analysis of the Prince George group and other early stage support groups (as presented in the literature review) suggests that early stage supports groups can play a positive role in facilitating the empowerment of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.


Hospira started phase 3 clinical trials for generic erythropoietin (EPO) in late 2011. When the Lake Forest, Ill., company submits an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its biosimilar EPO — which won't be until at least 2015 — it could be the first U.S. biopharmaceutical company to take advantage of the expedited approval pathway for biosimilars established by the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCIA). Hospira's generic EPO would be an alternative to Amgen's Epogen.

But with the FDA set to issue final guidance on requirements for what are called 351(k) expedited biosimilar applications and to inaugurate a new user fee program to pay for the examination of those applications, there will be many entrants in the race to be first in the 351(k) pipeline.

Momenta Pharmaceuticals signed a collaborative agreement with Baxter Healthcare last December to develop biosimilar products. James Roach, MD, chief medical officer at Momenta, in Cambridge, Mass., says the draft FDA guidelines published in February allow for the possibility that the agency could approve a biosimilar without the company having to go through time-consuming and costly clinical trials, as Hospira is doing. Those draft guidelines may be finalized this summer.

"We understand the burden will be on the sponsor to provide a data package that scientifically justifies a reduction in requirements for pre-clinical or clinical studies," Roach says. "We think that bar should be high for achieving biosimilarity at one level and interchangeability at another."


Peptic ulcer (PU), including gastric ulcer (GU) and duodenal ulcer (DU), remains a relatively common condition worldwide with annual incidence up to 0.19% (Sung et al., 2009), and patients with GU significantly increase the chance of developing gastric cancer (GC). GC is not only the fourth most common type of cancer in males and fifth in females globally, but also the third leading cause of death due to cancer in 2010 (Jernal et al., 2011; Lozano et al., 2012). Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, which is strongly related to GC and PU, is now recognized as a worldwide problem. Some specific genotypes of H. pylori have been reported to be associated with GC and PU, such as vacA d1 genotype (Basiri et al., 2014). Besides the infection with H. pylori, some genetic factors also play important roles in the occurrence of GC and PU. Up to now, a wide range of gastrointestinal cancer susceptibility genes have been identified, such as murine double mimute 2 (Mdm2) T309G, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene, survivin gene -31G>C, epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene +61A>G, X-ray repair cross-complementing 1 (XRCC1) gene, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene +896A/G, etc. (Song et al., 2013;


As Danny G. Langdon wrote in September 2010, for human performance technology to be a science, it needs commonly understood and applied models. He proposed his language of work (LOW) model. This article presents arguments for a very different model, one that cuts the cord to our profession's beginnings in the design of programmed instruction, looks for opportunities instead of gaps, and incorporates the findings of the new field of positive psychology about performance.


| Abstract | 1) PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was investigate the changes of gastrocnemius (GCM) muscle activity by applying different hot and cold therapeutic modalities. METHODS: A total of 20 healthy subjects were enrolled into the study. We selected transfer modalities that are frequently used in clinical settings: conduction, radiation, and convection. We performed hot pack, ice pack, and infrared therapy for 10, 20, and 30 minutes. After each application, a break was taken between each day. In addition, we performed cryotherapy for 3 min (airflow rate = -6 ~ -20 ℃ ). We measured muscle activity changes in the GCM muscle. RESULTS: For the conduction method, muscle activity significantly increased after ice pack therapy for 10 min and 20 min but decreased after hot pack therapy for 10 min and 20 min. For the radiation method, muscle activity significantly decreased after infrared therapy for 10 min and 20 min. For the convection method, muscle activity significantly increased after cryotherapy for 3 min and 10 min. There were no differences in the change of muscle activity in the conduction and radiation transfer method using heat. However, there were differences in the change of muscle activity in the conduction and convection transfer method with cold application. CONCLUSION: For a reduction in muscle activity, regardless of the transfer type, thermal application for 20 min would be effective. For an increase in muscle activity, cold pack application or cryotherapy for 20 min would be effective. This study could contribute toward therapeutic modality application in changing muscle activity.


Gas-phase pyrolyses of ethyl N-(5-cyanomethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-3-yl)carbamate (1), 1-benzoyl-3-(3-methylpyrazol-5-yl)thiourea (2), 1-benzoyl-3-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)thiourea (3), and 1-acetyl-3-(3-phenyl-pyrazol-5-yl)thiourea (4) have been studied. These reactions were homogeneous and unimolecular. The kinetics obeyed the first-order rate equation. Utilization of this pyrolytic reaction in heterocyclic synthesis is considered, and mechanistic information has been obtained from kinetic data and product analysis using an on-line pyrolysis GC-MS technique. The physical constants of four new substituted aminoazoles are also described. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


Sex ratio biases in animal populations influence the genetically effective population size, and thus are of interest in conservation. A butterfly group in which many authors report biases towards males is the genus Parnassius Latreille, 1804 (Papilionidae). Using a vulnerable woodland species, P. mnemosyne, we carried out a detailed marking campaign designed to eliminate biases towards individual sexes on marking. We then estimated the numbers of males and females using constrained linear models (CLMs) (Cormack-Jolly-Seber and Jolly-Seber in MARK); compared details of mobility between males and females using the Virtual Migration (VM) model; and built CLMs containing weather variables in order to directly assess weather effects on survival. The estimated population size was 4000 adults, with a male: female sex ratio of 1.5-1.6. Both daily and average catchability were higher for males, while the residence values (i.e., survival) were higher for females. Migration parameters were similar for the sexes, wit...


Spectrum analyses of recorded magnetization were performed using magnetic force microscopic (MFM) images to quantitatively analyze the relationship between the magnetization structure and the reproduced signal output. Repeated one-dimensional Fourier analyses were performed on an MFM image along the recording direction of the disk medium for a certain width with a pitch of about 70 nm. The dependence of MFM signal intensity on wavelength was obtained through Fourier transformation. Differences in the noise characteristics of CoCrTa media with different Cr compositions were investigated. Several peaks in the Fourier-transformed spectrum are related to the magnetic cluster size and/or the magnetic cross-linking distance between neighboring recorded bits. The magnetic interactions were found to extend up to about 0.5 µ m and 1 µ m for magnetically recorded CoCr16Ta4 and CoCr10Ta4 media, respectively.


This paper aims to measure the potential effects of a Korea-GCC FTA using a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model. We use the Global Trade...


The incidences of Decree 3011 of 1997 in teaching practice in adult education, taking as reference the Bolivarian Educational Center, to make a comparison the tenets of that decree, whichis the law governing the practice of education for young people and adults in Colombia, and every day teaching practices carried out in the institution. Therefore were view the pedagogical practices in relation to the text of the law, in contrast to functionally teracy practices and culture written with prospects and alternatives offered by new literacies, including technology literacy, and finally, compared perceptions, expectations and motivations of students, from the perspective of qualitative research a case study approach. To this end we make class room observations, focus groups with students and interviews with teachers and principals in two adult groups of 16 people, between 17 and 52 years, enrolled in the final cycle degree in Suba.


There is a great interest in developping a very compact source emitting tunable picosecond pulses with a few milliwatts of average power in the UV at high repetition rate (> 10 kHz). This kind of source will be useful for the detection of molecules by time resolved fluorescence in the biomedical domain for example. To reach those specifications, a simple way is the use of a gain-switched picosecond laser diode whose pulses are amplified in diode-pumped crystals having good energy storage capabilities. The concept of injection seeding of gain-switched laser diode in amplifiers was already demonstrated [1,2]. However, to our knowledge, the previous systems operated at a fixed wavelength.