While efforts to increase social mobility are misguided, "(t)here is plenty of evidence that societies can reduce inequality" (p. 275). "We should not create social hierarchies that magnify the rewards of a high social position" (p. 15). Debates among scientists, social scientists, racist ideologues and others over the role of genes in determining social outcomes have a long, troubling history. You wouldn't know that from reading Clark's book. Clark's data and his stories of enduring status are often fascinating, but they do not reveal a universal "law of mobility," nor do they demonstrate that genes explain social hierarchies. Clark's consideration of alternative explanations of social immobility is less thorough than it could be—especially given his provocative conclusions. Other scholars who see low rates of mobility provide richer stories about why this might be so. In their terrifi c book on social mobility, Unequal Chances , Bowles, Gintis and Groves conclude that "intergenerational transmission of economic status is accounted for by a heterogeneous collection of mechanisms, including the genetic and cultural transformation of cognitive skills, and non-cognitive personality traits in demand by employers, the inheritance of wealth and income-enhancing group memberships such as race, and the superior education and health status enjoyed by the children of higher-status families" (p. 3). And further, "a major role for the environmental infl uence of family, neighborhood, and schooling is beyond a doubt" (p. 2). Of course. The Son Also Rises uses a clever technique and some impressive scholarly work to make a persuasive case that social mobility is slower than we tend to imagine. In this sense, the book is a splendid contribution to the literature. If Professor Clark had left it at that, this would be a better and more useful book.


Ultrasonic C-scan and eddy current imaging systems are of the pointwise type evaluation systems that rely on a mechanical scanner to physically maneuver a probe relative to the specimen point by point in order to acquire data and generate images. Since the ultrasonic C-scan and eddy current imaging systems are based on the same mechanical scanning mechanisms, the two systems can be combined using the same PC platform with a common mechanical manipulation subsystem and integrated data acquisition software. Based on this concept, we have developed an IBM PC-based combined ultrasonic C-scan and eddy current imaging system. The system is modularized and provides capacity for future hardware and software expansions. Advantages associated with the combined system are: (1) eliminated duplication of the computer and mechanical hardware, (2) unified data acquisition, processing and storage software, (3) reduced setup time for repetitious ultrasonic and eddy current scans, and (4) improved system efficiency. The concept can be adapted to many engineering systems by integrating related PC-based instruments into one multipurpose workstation such as dispensing, machining, packaging, sorting, and other industrial applications.


This paper regards "circle" which is an element with Chinese characteristics as a moderator variable,and explores its role in the relationship between abusive supervision and silence behavior.By collecting and analyzing the questionnaires which are filled by the leaders and their employees from small and medium sized enterprises of Hunan Province,the conclusion is that the influence of abusive supervision on silence behavior is completely different from the insiders and outsiders,that is,abusive supervision does not necessarily lead to silence behavior.


In this paper, we consider coalition structure generation problem in cooperative graph games. The cooperative graph game is known as one of typical concise representation for cooperative games by using weighted undirected graph. We develop IP formalization and MaxSAT encoding to find the optimal coalition structure in cooperative graph games. The feature of our formalization is to introduce the symmetry breaking constraints and sort the agents into decreasing order of the sum of weights of the edges each agent belongs. Our experimental results show that the commercial solver GUROBI for IP formalization outperforms MaxSAT solver.


Objective To evaluate the retaining effect between Hawley retainer and vacuum formed retainer(VFR)after orthodontic treatment with straight wire appliance. Methods Sixty malocclusion cases that were treated with straight wire appliance were double-blindly divided into two groups and retained two years with Hawley retainers and VFR separately. Statistic data of the seven indexes (teeth aliagnment,overjet,overbite,midline,transverse buccal occlusion,sagital occlusion and vertical occlusion)of peer assessment rating index(PAR)were obtained from study models before and after the application of different retainers. Results PAR indexes of alignment,overbite and transverse buccal occlusion in VFR group were significantly lower than that in Hawley retainer group. Generally,all PAR indexes in VFR group were lower compared with Hawley group. Conclusion After two years application of retainer,VFR has better effect in maintaining overbite and transverse buccal occlusion than that in Hawley retainer following orthodontic treatment with straight wire appliance.


A report is presented on the fabrication of high-speed In/sub 0.53/Ga/sub 0.47/As metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetectors incorporating a high-quality lattice-matched InAlAs barrier enhancement layer, grown by organometallic chemical vapor deposition (OMCVD). Fast responses of approximately 55 ps full-width half-maximum at 1.5 mu m and approximately 48 ps at 1.3 mu m wavelengths are observed, corresponding to intrinsic device bandwidths of approximately 8 GHz and approximately 11 GHz, respectively. The absence of any tail to the pulse response, and of any low-bias DC gain, indicates a low-trap density at the InAlAs/InGaAs heterointerface. Bias independent dark currents of 10-20 mu A are observed below breakdown, which occurred at >30 V in devices with a 500-A-thick InAlAs layer.<<ETX>>


This paper contains partial results of a cooperative study made jointly by the Universities of Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station of the USDA Forest Service.


This paper studies the use of the Fully Convolutional Networks (FCN) model in the extraction of water bodies from Very High spatial Resolution (VHR) optical images in the case of limited training samples. Two different seasonal GaoFen-2 images with a spatial resolution of 0.8 m in the south of the Beijing metropolitan area were used to extensively validate the FCN model. Four key factors including input features, training data, transfer learning, and data augmentation related to the performance of the FCN model were empirically analyzed by using 36 combinations of various parameter settings. Our findings indicate that the FCN-based method can work as a robust and cost-effective tool in the extraction of water bodies from VHR images. The FCN-based method trained on a small amount of labeled L1A data can also significantly outperform the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) based method, the Support Vector Machine (SVM) based method, and the Sparsity Model (SM) based method, even when radiometric normalization and spatial contexts are introduced to preprocess the input data for the latter three methods. The advantages of the FCN-based method are mainly due to its capability to exploit spatial contexts in the image, especially in urban areas with mixed water and shadows. Though the settings of four key factors significantly affect the performance of the FCN based method, choosing a qualified setting for the FCN model is not difficult. Our lessons learned from the successful use of the FCN model for the extraction of water from VHR images can be extended to extract other land covers.


We developed and tested a brief three-session program to build resilience (protection from depressive symptoms) and thriving (positive growth) in undergraduates by teaching adaptive explanatory styles. In Study 1, a pretest–posttest waiting list control experiment with 28 undergraduates found that our Program for Accelerated Thriving and Health (PATH) significantly increased optimistic and personal control explanatory styles (Attributional Style Questionnaire), resilience (Beck Depression Inventory-II), and thriving (Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale 10). In Study 2, a placebo control experiment with 63 undergraduates found a modified version of the program to significantly increase resilience. All effects were at least moderate in size. As predicted, a personal control explanatory style significantly predicted thriving in both studies. Predictors of resilience and thriving were discussed in terms of differentiating the constructs.


While engineers, economists, and doctors can often prescribe a remedy for an undesirable situation by inference from a general theoretical construct, the architects of foreign policies rarely, if ever, have had such an advantage. Yet, the availability of a general theoretical construct could yield numerous benefits. To the degree that the theory were reliable and general, the foreign-policy maker would be able to deal with a wide range of concerns with confidence, at a minimum cost. For such a theory would allow him to know precisely what information would be needed to analyze the situation and how the information could be used to infer a prescription which would, with a high probability, get the desired results.


A convenient and economical finite layer method of analysing the behaviour of footings on a non-homogeneous soil is outlined. This method of analysis is used to investigate the elastic response of strip footings for a wide range of soil profiles involving a weathered crust overlying a main deposit. The stiffness of the crust is considered to be either constant or to decrease with depth while the stiffness of the underlying deposit increases with depth. The effect of layer depth, crust depth and the rate of variation of stiffness within the crust and the underlying soil are examined. The influence of this non-homogeneity upon settlement profile, differential settlement and consolidation settlement are discussed and the results obtained from this detailed analysis are compared with results obtained from the approximate use of existing homogeneous elastic solutions. The results of this study are presented in the form of influence charts which may be used in hand calculations to estimate the settlement of footings for a wide range of practical cases (A). (TRRL)


Biomarker testing is the first step toward diagnosis of many diseases including cancer, cardiovascular and infections. In addition to traditional circulating biomarkers such as protein, DNA and RNA, microRNAs (miRNAs) could also be used to accurately map the disease related biological changes at tissue, organ or cellular level. One of the roadblocks for using miRNA in diagnosis is the accurate detection of panel of miRNA biomarkers in clinical samples. Current detection methods are expensive, lacking sensitivity and specificity for clinical samples. In addition, to minimize the degradation, miRNA need to be detected within 30 min of sample collection and current detection methods will take hours to days. To address this critical issue, we have developed a new method where we used molecular-field interactions to concentrate target miRNA near micro-electrodes in the disposable device. We then used electrical impedance to quantify the target miRNAs. Our results show that proposed method could detect miRNAs that are in pico-molar levels.


Objective In order to screen effective traditional Chinese medicine compounds to prevent and control porcine respiratory disease syndrome( PRDC),seven compound preparations of traditional Chinese medicine were tested and to analyze their antitussive and expectorant effects in mice. Methods Two hundred 6-week old ICR mice( male∶ female = 1∶ 1) were used in this study. Dextromethorphan and ammonium chloride were used as positive control drugs,and physiological saline was used as blank control. The antitussive and expectorant effects of the seven Chinese medicine compounds( groups 1,2,3,4,5,6,7) were observed by ammonia-induced cough model and tracheal phenol red secretion method in mice. Results The results showed that compounds 7 and 5 significantly prolonged the cough incubation period( P 0. 05),and reduced the cough times within 5 min( P 0. 05). Except for the group 4,tracheal phenol red excretion in the other groups was significantly lower than that of blank control group( P 0. 05),and phenol red excretion in the mice of groups 7,5 and ammonium chloride group was significantly lower than that in other treatment groups( P 0. 05). Conclusions The Chinese medicine compounds 5 and 7 show most evident expectorant effects,and worthy of further validation of them as a drug in the treatment of porcine respiratory disease syndrome.


FIELD: process engineering. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to metallurgy. Proposed device comprises continuous casting mould, metal ingot channel, reservoir adjoining said channel to keep melt pool for application of fused metal coating on ingot outer surface, container with solid particles, set of tubes connected with reservoir to feed said solid particles therein, and distributor connected with container. Distributor is located downstream of container and is communicated with tubes and located upstream thereof to distribute flow of particles. EFFECT: discharge of ingots without air or other external medium feed. 20 cl, 14 dwg


Several core factors of the position and parameter disposition of WCDMA are analyzed and the existing second generation base station is completly used.Then the base station position and the parameter disposition model of WCDMA is established.On the mathematical model,the objective function constraints are increased from the consideration of up link,down link,multi-services,WCDMA power cut and breath effect so as to simulate the technical characteristic of WCDMA.By designing right encoding and decoding,and structuring evolutionary operator,a kind of evolutionary algorithm is proposed for solving this problem.The results of computer simulation demonstrate the algorithm is validity.


Mechanically induced protein unfolding in the force-clamp apparatus is shown, in a coarse-grained model of ubiquitin, to have lognormal statistics above a threshold force and exponential statistics below it. Correspondingly, the mean unfolding time is slowly varying and exponentially decreases as a function of the force. The time dependences of the end-to-end distances are also distinct. The time sequence of unfolding events weakly depends on force and much of it resembles that for stretching at constant speed. A more complicated time dependence arises for integrin.


Objective:To investigate the human telomerase RNA(hTERC) gene in the screating of cervical lesions. Methods:The expression of hTERC gene of cervix cytologic samples were detectded by using fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH).According to histology biopsy 115 Pap smears were divided into cervinl intraepithelial neoplasin(CIN,n=69),squamous carcinomal of the cervix(SCC,n=26).normnl(n=20). Results:The positive rate of hTERC gene in CIN I,CIN II,CIN Ⅲ and SCC were respectively 22.00%,75.00%,100.00%and 100.00%(P0.05).hTERC gene copy numbers in CINII/CINⅢ/SCC were significantly higher than that in CIN I.The number of abnormal cells were increased in gene amplification for hTERC,CIN I was 6.50%,CIN II was 25.50%,CINⅢ was 30.60%,SCC was 50.80%(P0.05).The abnormal hTERC signal types of 2∶3 founded in CIN I was 60.00%,in CIN II,CINⅢ and SCC were 47.10%,45.18% and 36.44% respectively.In SCC,the abnormal hTERC signal types were 4∶4 and 5∶5 mainly. Conclusion:The increase of hTERC expression in the invasive CIN and SCC,the copy numbers are associated with the severity of cytologic and histologic findings.Therefore can as a screening detection index of biometrical genetics for progress of cervical anterior lesions.


Local economy, based on animal husbandry in Northern Zagros forest leads to increase employing leaves and branches (pollarding) compared to the other parts of Zagros. Pollarding is a convenient method in forest utilization to supply fodder and it has been always trying to obtain its stable production by proper management skills. One of the most important forest management tools in a given forest is to provide up-to-date spatial maps of pollarded regions. The objective of this study was to investigate the capability of multi-temporal Landsat 8 OLI sensor for mapping pollarding areas of Northern Zagros forests. So that, we employed Landsat 8-OLI single and multi-date images acquired on 2014 and 2015. To assess the accuracy of output maps, a complete ground-truth of the study area was used to calculate the accuracy heuristics for the output maps. Different classification approaches were applied including minimum distance and maximum likelihood classifiers, artificial neural networks and fuzzy method. The classification accuracy was calculated on the basis of overall accuracy and kappa coefficient. The results indicated that artificial neural network and fuzzy classifier present the highest accuracy than the other classifiers. It was also found that utilizing the multi-temporal OLI imageries improves the accuracy over employing a single date. The results indicate that the multi-temporal imagery is moderately capable of mapping pollarded stands and classifying pollarding types, using ANN and Fuzzy classifiers.


This paper presents a homography based ground plane detection method. The method is developed as a part of stereo vision based obstacle detection technique for the visually impaired people. The method assumes the presence of a texture dominant ground plane in the lower portion of the scene, which is not severe restriction in a real world. SIFT algorithm is used to extract features in the stereo images. The extracted SIFT features are robustly matched by model fitting using RANSAC. A sample of putative matches lying in the lower portion of the image is selected. A fitness function is developed to select matches from this sample, which are used to estimate ground plane homography hypothesis. The ground plane homography hypothesis is used to classify the SIFT features as either belonging to ground plane or not. Image segmentation using mean shift and normalized cut is further used to filter the outliers and augment the ground plane. Experimental tests have been conducted to test the performance of the proposed approach. The tests indicate that the proposed approach has good classification rate and have operating distance range from 3 feet to 12 feet. Index Terms Ground Plane; SIFT; Electronic Travel Aid, Homography


Urban environments have seen the growth of infrastr ucture and buildings above and below the ground due to limited availability of urban land. Cadastral juris dictions have traditionally represented properties as a closed polygon with associated registered rights: termed a s two-dimensional (2D) cadastre. Modern cadastral jurisdictions are facing increasing pressure to reg ister and represent properties above and below grou nd: termed as three-dimensional (3D) cadastre. The cadastre ha s traditionally been designed around properties on the surface of the land, called base parcels, which has made th e storage and representation of 3D data in a 2D dat abase very challenging. It is important to understand the general complexit ies of a 3D cadastre as well as particular 3D relat ed needs within each cadastral jurisdiction. There are Insti tutional issues such as 3D specific legislation, po licy, standards; and technical guidelines; Operational issues such a s registration of 3D properties and their interacti on with current 2D properties; and Technical issues such as 3D parcel construction; 3D validation; 3D data cap ture and storage; and 3D data representation. This paper foc uses on the Operational and Technical issues to ide ntify and discuss the problems faced by the cadastral jurisdi ction of Queensland and propose possible solutions to improve the storage and representation of 3D cadastral data in the existing digital cadastral database. Queensland cadastre allows the registration of all mathematical 3D shapes and differentiates between building and volumetric shapes in the plan representation on the paper. This has given rise to complex examples of 3D shapes registered in Queensland cadastre; however, the digital cadastral database does not store 3D ge ometry data. Currently, the paper plan is the legal docume nt for the geometrical data, while the records stor ed digitally in the Titles Office are the legal record of rights . The digital cadastral database (DCDB) models the real world cadastral situation and connects to other databases to provide a comprehensive search and visualisatio n facility for surveyors conducting field surveys as well as t he Department to update and maintain records of cad astral transactions. The Electronic Access to Registry Lod gement (EARL) project is in its second phase, where legal paper plan data are converted to digital records an d stored in the database; however, in the last phas e of the project, the legal document will be the electronic record. This has created a push for the electronic lodgement as well as the DCDB to be capable of storing, visualis ing and manipulating accurate legal records of 3D d ata. Additionally, as the cadastral data is being used b y other stakeholders for their various applications , the DCDB is required to be capable of GIS operations such as ne ighbourhood or locality searches, intersections, bu ffers or other spatial analysis. There are two possible solutions identified and del iberated in this paper. First, the 3D objects could be stored in a special repository which is outside the main cadast ral database, but is linked to the base parcel thro ugh parcel identifiers. The advantage is that the existing dat a structure is not disturbed and is easier to effec t a database transition. The disadvantage is that the repository will not be able to support 3D searches and spatia l analysis; and the effects on the 3D property when the underly ing base parcel undergoes a transaction need to con sistently


Some main factors are selected by researching the relationship between mechanical properties and influence factors. The techniques of neural network applied to the prediction of mechanical properties of ductile iron are introduced based on the method of artificial neural network. The selection of neural net structures and training of neural network are illustrated. The results from plant test show that the system has good performance and mechanical properties of ductile iron are predicted by prediction results of the system.


Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are abundantly becoming a part of society, which is a trend that is expected to grow even further. The quadrotor is one of the drone technologies that is applicable in many sectors and in both military and civilian activities, with some applications requiring autonomous flight. However, stability, path planning, and control remain significant challenges in autonomous quadrotor flights. Traditional control algorithms, such as proportional-integral-derivative (PID), have deficiencies, especially in tuning. Recently, machine learning has received great attention in flying UAVs to desired positions autonomously. In this work, we configure the quadrotor to fly autonomously by using agents (the machine learning schemes being used to fly the quadrotor autonomously) to learn about the virtual physical environment. The quadrotor will fly from an initial to a desired position. When the agent brings the quadrotor closer to the desired position, it is rewarded; otherwise, it is punished. Two reinforcement learning models, Q-learning and SARSA, and a deep learning deep Q-network network are used as agents. The simulation is conducted by integrating the robot operating system (ROS) and Gazebo, which allowed for the implementation of the learning algorithms and the physical environment, respectively. The result has shown that the Deep Q-network network with Adadelta optimizer is the best setting to fly the quadrotor from the initial to desired position.


ABSTRACT Graffiti is an important theme for our understanding of subcultural urban space and the 'shadows' of the city. This paper examines their spatial concentration in Holešovice district of the Czech capital Prague. Four theories have been used to explain the spatiality of graffiti: territorial markers, broken window, spot theory, and political symbolic space. While the first three theories all explain the spatial distribution of graffiti, they are each limited when applied to political graffiti. Conversely, the theory of political symbolic space, based on David Harvey's relative space and Henri Lefebvre's representational space, helps explain the concentration of political graffiti.


Seafloor morphology and manganese nodule occurrence were studied in the Korea Deep-sea Environmental Study (KODES) area, northeast equatorial Pacific, to understand their relationship. Study area is composed of three elongated valleys and hills with about 100~200 m height along NNE-SSW direction. Valley region is generally flat. However, hill region is very rugged with big cliffs of about 100m height and small depressions of several tens of meters depth. Tectonic movement along the Clarion-Clipperton fracture zone, consequent formation of elongated abyssal hills and Valleys, erosion of siliceous bottom sediments by bottom currents, and dissolution of carbonate sediments on the abyssal hills below CCD result in the rugged morphology. Manganese nodule occurrence is closely related to the morphology of the study area; mostly rounded-shaped manganese nodules with about 5 cm diameter are abundant on the flat valley region, whereas irregular shaped nodules (or manganese crust) with less than 5 cm to about 1 m diameter occur on the hill. These results supports the previous reports that nodule abundance, composition, and morphology are variable both on regional and local small scales on the seafloor even within some abundant nodule provinces depending on oceanographic characteristics such as bathymetric features, surface sediment type, sediment thickness, and so on. We suggest that such oceanographic characteristics affect interrelatedly on the formation of manganese nodules, and tectonic movement of the Pacific plate ultimately constrain the nodule occurrence. A potential mining place in the KODES area seems to be the valley region, which is elongated to the NNW-SSE direction with 3-4 km width.


This thesis reports the results of qualitative research using ethnographic methods to explore the experiences of women who have breastfed long-term. Data collection methods included participant observation in three breastfeeding support groups, face-to-face interviews and online asynchronous interviews using email. A clear contribution to new knowledge has been demonstrated in a number of areas. Knowledge has been furthered by presenting in-depth, rich findings about the experience of an under-researched group in a sensitive area. Placing these within the context of a cross-disciplinary perspective and by using insider research methods has strengthened their authenticity and credibility. The Social-Ecological Model is used both to structure a review of relevant literature and to underpin the thesis as a whole, demonstrating the complex social and cultural contexts within which women breastfeed longterm. Findings, from a group of strong-willed and determined women show that breastfeeding long-term is a rewarding but challenging commitment, often undertaken in the absence of societal support. Theoretical concepts of liminality, stigma and taboo are explored within the thesis and used as a lens through which to view the findings from the study. Previous work using these concepts to think about breastfeeding is drawn on and developed to further understanding of the experiences of long-term breastfeeding.


Quantitative Estimation of pelagic fish eggs and larvae which occurred in the plankton collections
of Tuticorin coast during 1976-85 indicated their abundance in space and time A trimodal cycle in tin
distribution of fish eggs and larvae with peaks in February-March, June-July and September-October
was observed, indicating the spawning seasons. A maximum occurrence of 7,584 eggs contributing to
80.6% In the composition of total zooplankton was recorded In October, 1978 coinciding the permonsoon
season. Hydrological and meteorological features of the area in relation to the distribution of fish eggs
and larvae are briefly discussed. A variety of types of eggs and larvae sorted in the collections indicated
the area as an important resourceful ground in the fishery map of Southeast coast of India


The daily variation of digital geomagnetic data observed by Fluxmeter in Houtuqiao seismostation is analyzed,and its 5-day amplitude-ratio and daily-amplitude-ratio are calculated.The results show that 5-day-amplitude-ratio usually shows high value anomalies,and daily-amplitude-ratio also shows a cluster of anomalies with an increasing tendency.This feature is significant to the application of high frequency digital geomagnetic data and earthquake prediction.


Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a potentially life-threatening situation for skin that is frequently induced by drugs. The mucocutaneous reaction is characterized by bullous detachment of the epidermis and mucous membranes. Here we are reporting a case of toxic epidermal necrolysis in a 25 year old female Epileptic patient after receiving the Carbamazepine. On the second day of the Carbamazepine patient developed facial puffiness and macula papular rash with flaccid bullae present over the face, lips, upper back which spreads gradually all over the body.There was burning sensation,watering and pain in both eyes, mating of eye lashes also present.She is diagnosed as toxic epidermal necrolysis. The Clinical impression was TEN induced by Carbamazepine. She was treated with injection Dexamethasone, Pheniramine, topical antibiotics and corticosteroids.The outcomes of the treatment includes withdrawl of inducing agent and early diagnosis and treatment is needed.


The .British acted after anti·Brltsh and anti·American rioting in Jor· dan by elements which oppose that Arab kingdom's joining the Baghdad ract. Moderate and fair weather will remain In Iowa City today, the weather bureau predicted. WASHINGTON (.1'1 The United States Tuesday restored a 10 million dollar cut in economlc aid to India which had been ordel.'ed by Foreign Aid Director John B. HolThe War Office announcement called the move "a precautiGJIary Tells About measure" to protect British citi· Today's high is expected to ronge from 25 to 30 degrees. lister. zens In the orea-but British offi· cials made plain the troops might be used to douse a possible f1ar 'up ~lnywhcre, Including Palestine. .oht.r Cyprus Gur/ ... The Eden government's top Middle East expert, Evelyn Shuckburgh, flew to Washington Tuesday to coordinate over-all Middle East policy with the Eisellhower admin· istration. , Shuckburgh will lay the ground· work for talks between Eden and President Eisenhower, opening in Washington Jan. 30, on ways to counter the Russian thrust into the Middle East. New Western peace moves to end"llie Palestine dispute will be discussed, too. , Eden conferred at No. 10 Downing St., with War' Minister Anthony Head just before the War OfCIce annol1lleed that paratroopfl and ~und reInforcements would be sent to lx>lster Britain's "Flrf! Bri,ade" garrison on Cyprus, the Island base in theeastern Medi· terranean. N.vy .t M.lt. Tb.ese troops will beef up the lOO,OOO-man garrison already on the British island colony. churned by strife and violence from Cypriots demanding union with Greece. Cyprus serves, as headquarte~s for 'Britain's' air lind land forces in the Middle East, while the Royal Navy ill llaifd 011 ~Ialtaj to "lest. , In qlse or serious fighting, Brit· ish forces 0\1 Cyl>rus could move out' in several directions. , Britain has a System of alliances with such Arjlb countries as Jar· dan, Iraq, lrah and Libya which bInd ' Britain to act against any a,ggres;;or· • --"--,,----Bad Housing For Negroes


In recent years we have experienced an increase in the usage of tags to describe resources. However, the free nature of tagging presents some challenges regarding the search and exploration of tag spaces. In order to deal with these challenges we propose the Semantic Tag Clustering Search (STCS) framework. The framework first groups syntactic variations using several measures based on the Levenshtein distance and the cosine similarity based on tag co-occurrences. We find that a measure that combines the newly introduced variable cost Levenshtein similarity measure with the cosine similarity significantly out-performs the other methods we evaluated in terms of precision. After grouping syntactic variations, the framework clusters semantically related tags using the cosine similarity based on tag co-occurrences. We compare the STCS framework to a state-of-the-art clustering technique and find that the STCS framework performs significantly better in terms of precision. For the evaluation we used a large data set gathered from Flickr, which contains all the pictures uploaded in the year 2009.


This paper presents a robust method of processing GNSS data for vehicle localization in degraded signal environments where conventional receivers struggle to accurately position. The method relies on cooperation between receivers that use vector tracking, an advanced signal processing architecture for GNSS. Cooperation is performed through an EKF algorithm that can be employed for standalone or cooperative navigation by coupling stochastic receiver dynamics together. Simulation results are presented that demonstrate vehicle positioning is accurately achieved with cooperation under low C/N0 ratio conditions where standalone vector tracking is not stable and improved by including more collaborating receivers to the algorithm. The simulation claims are validated experimentally with GPS test data from a four-vehicle platoon traveling on an interstate exchange that incurs signal blockages from bridges.


! Large U.S. cities warmed at twice the rate of the planet between 1961 and 2010. ! The urban heat island effect is the principal driver of warming at urban scale. ! Most climate action plans fail to directly manage land-based drivers of warming.


Within the interdisciplinary R&D project VIONA a novel measuring system was developed to investigate the potential of an automatic infrared (IR) based health monitoring of dairy cows. The project faces three challenging tasks necessary for automation: the precise IR temperature measurement under rough practical conditions, the automatic image processing providing an anatomically related segmentation and the diagnostic algorithm finally selecting diseased animals. This paper gives a summarizing overview of the developed research platform VIONA, which fulfils the practical requirements and helps to perform the largest known IR based field study for dairy cows.


Sensorineural hearing loss (profound deafness) is a result of the inability of the transductory structures in the cochlea (organ of Corti) to convert the mechanical displacement of the basilar membrane to neural signals. A class of devices known as Cochlear Implants can significantly enhance the hearing ability in these patients. Fundamentally different from the existing cochlear implant technology, are the totally implantable piezoelectric based devices that are being developed. The unit is completely self-contained, designed to work without any signal amplifiers or transmission elements, greatly simplifying the stimulation process, and enhancing the cosmetic appearance of the patient. These devices utilize the bending piezoelectric effect. Device design consists of arrays of elements of piezoelectric polymer films with conducting polymer electrodes embedded in a flexible substrate with the whole device coated with an insulating layer. The incoming mechanical energy (pressure waves) into the cochlea generates electrical charge by virtue of the piezoelectric effect of the film. The generated charge is fed to electrical connections evaporated on the substrate and is used to stimulate surviving nerve fibers in the cochlea. In certain environments where acoustic impedance matching is limited by size constraints and conducting liquid medium, the advantage of polymer based devices over ceramics and metal based devices, are their flexibility, low acoustic impedance, and high sensitivity. However, in order to utilize these useful properties, the electrode material is an important issue, since the conventionally used metal electrodes, have high acoustic impedance and also impose mechanical clamping on the soft polymer which can significantly reduce the electromechanical efficiency of the transducer. Due to its flexibility, strong coherent interfaces, and significantly improved acoustic transparency, such an all-polymer electroactive system is compared to a metal-polymer system of similar design and also compared to the current technology.


This work describes the development of an indoor air quality monitor based on high frequency solidly mounted resonators (SMR) for the detection of volatile organic compounds (V OC). The sensor system operates in a differential mode with two SMR devices driven by Pierce oscillators. The active resonator was spray-coated with a selective polymer compound, while the second one was used as a reference. The absorption of vapor molecules into the polymer layer causes a frequency shift in the resonator. A study of suitable polymer coatings and finite element simulations on the sensor response were performed. Experimental results demonstrated that the VOC monitor is capable of detecting toluene concentrations down to 5 ppm with a high sensitivity of 60 Hz/ppm for a 180 nm PDMS polymer coated SMR resonating at 900 MHz. We believe that the system could be used as a robust, low-cost and low power microsensor for the real-time and ubiquitous monitoring of VOCs, particularly in a personal air quality monitor.


Regular exercise, principally resistance training, is an effective method to promote muscle hypertrophy and attenuate muscle atrophy during various atrophic conditions . There is growing interest in the evaluation of home-based resistance training programmes. These programmes have the potential to overcome common barriers to participation, such as accessibility and affordability. The objective of the scoping review is to map the available evidence to provide an overview of what characteristics, principles, and components are required for an effective home-based resistance training programme in patients with chronic disease. The four specific objectives of the scoping review will be to: 1) conduct a systematic search of the published and grey literature for studies reporting on home-based resistance training in patients with chronic disease; 2) map out the characteristics and range of methodologies (including exercise protocols and outcome measures) used in effective home-based resistance training; 3) examine reported challenges and limitations of home-based resistance training; and 4) propose recommendations for optimizing home-based resistance training protocols in this population.


The present invention relates to an MPEG video recording medium and a reproducing apparatus for reconstructing a missing data sequences of the video data stream. Scratches or other defects of the recording medium to cause a break or disturbance in the data stream read from the recording medium, which for example a lead may be corrected only to the extent limited by the conventional correction method such as Solomon code. Therefore, MPEG is provided a video recording medium, on the original I frame (I) for the at least one copy or the similar I frame (I1 *) recording medium for the reconstruction of missing or erroneous data sequences of a video data stream, It is recorded. Replacement I frame (I1 *, ...) are arranged in the intermittent, or predetermined region of the program area to the outer area on the recording medium, it does not affect the reproduction of the recording medium on the conventional reproducing apparatus. In the reproduction apparatus for MPEG video recording medium from the reconstruction of missing or erroneous data sequences of a video data stream, the recording medium, copy, or the like on the I frame (I1 *, ...), lost or used to start a search for error I frame (I1, ...) and of the error detection means for determining the sector address ready, the control means there is prepared, through the control means, loss in the original data stream or similar I frame (I1) is the video It is replaced by a copy or the similar I frame (I1 *) to the reconstruction of missing or erroneous data sequences of the data stream is reproduced by a video decoder (VD-U).


Web cache replacement Algorithms proposed in the literature try to maximize the Hit Ratio (HR), the Byte Hit Ratio (BHR), and the Delay Saving Ratio (DSR). However, even with an infinite Web cache storage capacity, values of these metrics could not exceed 70% most of the time. This is due to the fact that, given a workload, the first reference to an object is always a miss. Moreover, a statistical analysis of the workload shows that as much as 76% of objects are One-Timers (OT), i.e. they are referenced only once. Caching OT objects usually degrade the performance of all Web cache replacement algorithms. In fact, it may cause the eviction of N-Timer (NT) objects and hence increases the number of misses. In this paper, we present a technique to classify whether a cached object is an OT or not. We show through simulation that classification may significantly enhance the performance of replacement algorithms with respect to the HR, the BHR and the DSR.


The invention relates to a structural element (2) capable of recovering static compressive forces along an axis Z. Said structural element comprises two profile members (21, 22) made of fibrous composite material that extend along the axis Z, said two profile members being rigidly connected to one another, at a joining area (25), by means of so-called transverse fibers (26) that are perpendicularly placed at an interface between said two profile members, and moreover placed perpendicular to the axis Z, so that a shock along the axis Z causes a delamination of said transverse fibers in order to absorb the energy.


On 11.01.2006, a male whale shark,
Rhincodon typus measuring 8.2m in length
and approximately 3 tonnes in weight was
caught in pair trawl net operated 30 kms
away from the shore in Gulf of Mannar


BACKGROUND
The glycaemic responses of staples differ when eaten as mixed meals. We determined the glycaemic responses and glycaemic index (GI) values for common South Asian carbohydrate rich foods and the effect of adding curried chicken to them as mixed meals.

METHODS
The GI and glycaemic response to staples (basmati rice, pilau rice and chapatti) and mixed meals (pilau rice with chicken curry and chapatti with chicken curry) were measured in healthy volunteers. Paired comparisons in each subject were carried out for staples and their equivalent mixed meals (n = 9).

RESULTS
GI values for the mixed meals were significantly lower than the staples alone (41 and 60 for pilau rice with chicken curry and pilau rice alone, P = 0.001; 45 and 68 for chapatti with chicken curry and chapatti alone, P = 0.004). Both, pilau rice and chapatti with chicken curry had a significantly lower glycaemic response than their equivalent staples alone: incremental area under the blood glucose response curves (IAUC) 111.9 mmol min(-1 ) L(-1) for pilau rice with curry versus 162.4 mmol min(-1 ) L(-1) for pilau rice alone (P = 0.001) and IAUC 110.1 mmol min(-1 ) L(-1) for chapatti with chicken curry versus 183.6 mmol min(-1 ) L(-1) for chapatti alone (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS
Adding fat and protein-containing curries as part of a mixed meal to carbohydrate rich staple foods reduced glycaemic responses, and also changed the GI category.


In this paper, we proposed a novel multimedia image indexing and retrieval algorithm using Directional Local Ternary Pattern (DLTP) for Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR). The standard Local Binary Pattern (LBP) and Local Ternary Pattern (LTP) encode the relationship between reference pixel and its surrounding neighbours by computing grey-level difference. The proposed method extracts the directional edge information based on local ternary value (−1, 0, 1) instead of binary value (0, 1) in 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135° directions of an image. The performance of the proposed method is compared with local binary pattern LBP, Block-based LBP (BLK-LBP), Centre-Symmetric LBP (CS-LBP), Local Edge Patterns for Segmentation (LEPSEG), Local Edge Patterns for Image Retrieval (LEPINV) and other existing transform domain methods based on Corel-5000 (DB1) and Corel-10000 (DB2) databases. The retrieval performance of DLTP shows better improvement in terms of their performance measures as compared with the standard LBP.


This study investigates the question of i§Why is the statistical association between exchange rate shocks and domestic inflation in Egypt weak?i¨ The study relies on two econometric models, the SVAR model and the Markov switching regression model. Presenting results of statistical analysis showing that the exchange rate pass-through to domestic inflation in Egypt is weak and insignificant over the studyi¦s whole period (2006Q1-2016Q3), but is significant for the sub-periods of 2006Q1-2010Q4 and 2011Q1-2016Q3. We explain the variations of both level and speed of exchange rate pass-through between the sub-periods by two factors: (i) monetary policy intervention to maintain targets for foreign exchange rates and real GDP growth; and (ii) structural change in the time series data resulting from a change in the macroeconomic policies.


January marks the launch of the Journal of Paramedic Practice Student Column. Here, we introduce the first of our three 2018 Student Paramedic Columnists.


Objective. To assess the failure rate of the present first line treatment regime for uncomplicated falciparum malaria of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine combined with chloroquine.
Design. A before-after study1 Setting. Ndumo Clinic, Ingwavuma District, South Africa, October 2000 Study Group. 55 patients presenting to Ndumo clinic with uncomplicated malaria and malaria trophozoites visible on thin film.
Main outcome measures:Trophozoite count on thick film at day 14. Results. 15 out of 37 patients who returned for follow-up still had trophozoites on thick film. Symptoms of most patients at day 0 and day 14 were mild, parasite counts before and after treatment were low, and trophozoites were atypical.
Conclusions. There appears to be an unacceptably high day 14 failure rate with the combination of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine and chloroquine.The mildness of symptoms, low parasite counts and atypical trophozoites suggest immunity to falciparum malaria amongst the local population. With few antimalarials to chose from, the difficult question as to future treatment of uncomplicated malaria arises.
Keywords: Falciparum malaria, chloroquine, sulfadoxine, pyrimethamine
SA Fam Prac Vol.25(3) 2002: 4-7


Moving pictures experts group (MPEG) media transport (MMT) and MPEG-dynamic adaptive streaming over hypertext transfer protocol (MPEG-DASH) are emerging as the content-delivery technologies for the next-generation broadcasting systems, as they seamlessly utilize various underlying delivery networks to provide hybrid multimedia services in any location. In this paper, we present an empirical analysis of the channel-zapping time, which is an important metric in the measurement of the quality of experience (QoE) of broadcast services, regarding the MMT and MPEG-DASH technologies. During this process, we also clarify the important factors that determine the channel-zapping time of the individual technologies. In addition, we propose a simple yet effective method that enables fast channel zapping for the MMT technology.


A comprehensive childhood evaluation is a fundamental feature of rehabilitation. This process relies on the collection of quality data including that obtained from psychometric instruments, such as tests and scales, family interviews, and natural observations. Therefore, an evidence-based assessment counts on the interface of using psychometrically valid and reliable instruments, in addition to understanding data gathered from other sources of information. This chapter provides an overview of the key features of psychometric testing applied to childhood assessment. A case study is presented to link the psychometric instruments and its clinical utility within the assessment framework. To better accomplish this goal, this chapter is split into three sections: i. key features of psychometrics and its tools; ii. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); iii. a case study to link both topics.


Spin‐exchange interactions of MnCl2 in molten LiCl/KCl eutectic over the temperature range 700°—1200°K have been studied by the method of electron magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The resonance linewidths are determined by the exchange‐narrowing process under the experimental conditions used in the present investigation. p, the probability that a paramagnetic ion—paramagnetic ion encounter will result in exchange, is found to be given by the expression pT≈1—exp(—Cη/T), where C is a constant, η is the solvent viscosity, and T is the absolute temperature.


Objective
To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (PRA).

Methods
From September 2013 to September 2015, the clinical data of 35 patients who underwent posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy were reviewed. There were 14 males and 21 females, aged 15-70 years, with the average of 45.8 years. Preoperative CT scan showed 19 adrenal tumors in the left side, 16 in the right side, and one case with the left adrenal adenoma combining with right renal cyst. Tumor diameter is between 10~60mm, with the average of 31mm.Twenty-two cases were diagnosed as primary aldosteronism, 4 pheochromocytoma, and 9 non-functional adrenal tumor. The posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy were performed in all of the cases, which are under general anesthesia with tracheal intubation and prone position with hip joints and knee joints flexion of 90.

Results
Thirty-five operations were successfully completed via the posterior approach demonstrating clear anatomical layers. The operation time was 38-138min(mean 70 min), the drainage tube indwelling duration was 1-5d(average 2d), and the hospital stay was 2-6d(average 4d). Total costs of hospitalization were 14 789-31 992 yuan RMB, with an average of 21 239 yuan RMB. No complications occurred during the perioperative period. The average follow-up was 11 months, and no complications such as tumor recurrence occured.

Conclusions
Retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy provided clear anatomical views. It could be a safe and effective operation for the treatment of adrenal tumors.

Key words:
Prone position; Adrenalgland neoplasms; Posterior approach


A generalized approach is presented in this paper for accurately estimating the states of the targets, which can either be non-maneuvering or undergoing various maneuvers, including the most evasive 'barrel roll maneuver'. A nine state Extended Kalman filter (EKF) formulation is presented here with three relative positions, three relative velocities, barrel frequency of aircraft, axial acceleration and maneuvering coefficient. A significant advantage of present model is that it is quite generic in nature and can capture barrel roll as well as other maneuvers (including no maneuver) without any change of estimation formulation or tuning parameters. Extensive simulation studies with a predictive guidance shows that the new estimation formulation can lead to very good engagement performance with noisy RF seeker measurement parameters, namely gimbal angles, gimbal angle rates, range and range rate.


This paper attempts to provide an understanding of the contrast between the fundamental notion surrounding the Internet that global society should benefit from access to free flow of information, whilst unauthorised copying of material normally protected by copyright can be facilitated. The paper focuses on the legal implications of the emergence and widespread use of the MP3 technology for the digital compression and distribution of audio music files over the Internet. The analysis explores issues of copyright infringement and unauthorised reproduction and distribution of copyrighted music over the Internet as highlighted in two separate cases concerning two start-up Internet companies, MP3.com and Napster. Additionally, to the extent that the outcome of the aforementioned cases are likely to influence the future of copyright protection in the online environment, the paper addresses the legal implications of the MP3 technology in relation to the applicability, adequacy and effectiveness of the existing legal framework to reach to a fair balance between the rights of the users of the Internet to free access to information and the protection of the rights of copyright holders thus providing us with the opportunity to question the fundamentals of copyright protection in the electronic environment.


On the surface, it would appear that a classroom offers a universal experience. In reality, however, the individuality of human beings shapes this experience within a singular perspective that personalizes it into a unique story. This dissertation research project undertook to explore the concept of teacher knowledge as it applied to a particular community college instructor and how that knowledge was communicated to a particular developmental writing class. The collected data is reported through the narrative lens, offering a powerful collaboration of teacher and student stories intertwined through a shared educational experience. Upon entering their classroom, readers will "hear" the voices of the instructor and students, frequently offered in their original state—unvarnished, raw with emotion, and sincere.


The paper is aimed to study the hydrodynamic characteristics of a large diameter cylinder in a two-layered fluid. A formal potential solution for the diffraction problem was established, and the computational formulation for the corresponding diffraction force was given. The diffraction force on the large diameter cylinder in a two-layered fluid includes not only the diffraction force produced by the suface wave but also the one produced by the internal wave. This is different from the case of a uniform fluid. Some numerical examples were given, showing that the effects of stratification on the hydrodynamic characteristics of a large diameter cylinder should be considered when estimating the higher-frequency characteristics of the wave force for a large structure, and the differences of the diffraction force compared with the uniform fluid are remarkable.


ABRAHAM, HENRY J. Freedom and the Court. New York: Oxford University Press, 1967, 335 pp., $7.50, L.C. 67-17862. The civil rights and liberties of the individual and the community as a whole are examined also, the role of the judiciary in the evolution and implementation of these rights. The author discusses the Bill of Rights, its applicability to the states, due process, and the Negro and civil rights.


This paper presents a key geometric errors identification method for machine tools based on matrix differential and experimental test. An error model for a machine tool was established by regarding the three-axis machining center as a multi-body system. The sensitivity coefficients of the machining error with respect to the geometric errors were determined using the matrix differential method, and the degree of influence of the geometric errors on the machining accuracy under ideal conditions was discussed. Using the 12-line method, 21 geometric errors of the machine tool were identified, allowing the three-dimensional volumetric error distributions of the machine tool to be mapped. Experimental results allow the degree of influence of the geometric errors on the machining accuracy under actual conditions to be confirmed. Finally, the key geometric errors affecting the machining accuracy were identified by a combination of matrix differential and experimental test. This paper provides guidance for the machine tool configuration design, machining technology determination, and geometric error compensation.


In this paper, we assess the specialization patterns of China and India, identifying the goods that are more related to these countries' core of capabilities. Our database consists in product level trade data for 93 countries. Following Hausmann et al. (2007) we compute indicators of "income content" of a country's export basket and measures of "density" which assess the likelihood of a country developing comparative advantage in one good given its current specialization pattern. We then run a cluster analysis using a set of indicators in order to identify groups of countries in the world whose specialization patterns are more similar to that of India and China.


Radiotherapy side effects have been attributed to free radical reactions. This study evaluated the antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of V. amygdalina (MEVA) against gamma irradiation-induced oxidative stress in rats' brain. Seventy male rats weighing 130-160 g were randomized into seven groups, with each group comprising ten rats namely: control, MEVA at 250, and 500 mg/kg/day, radiation only, radiation plus MEVA at 250, and 500 mg/kg/day, and alpha-tocopherol (TOCO). Rats were treated for 14 days, irradiated on the 15th day, and euthanized on the 16th day. Bioassays of malondialdehyde for lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were carried out using standard techniques. Some of the brains were processed for paraffin wax embedment and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. Radiation caused a significant (p radiation only. There was improvement in the histological alterations in the cerebellar layers and the Purkinje cell parameters of the pretreated groups when compared with the gamma-irradiated (R) group. MEVA demonstrated antioxidant and radioprotective effects in rats' brain.


AbstractThe following sections are included:IntroductionIntegration and Systemic RiskSecuritization and Systemic RiskInnovation and Systemic RiskUsing past asset returnsUsing linear asset-pricing modelsIncentives and Systemic RiskFree-ridingLemonsCombining the frictionsTackling Tail RiskCalibrating tail riskDynamic stress-testingLiquidity policies and practicesReferences


Background: Malabsorption due to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is the main gastrointestinal problem in cystic fibrosis. Despite high doses of pancreatic enzyme supplements it is often not possible to normalize fat absorption. We compared a new high lipase pancreatic enzyme preparation (Pancrease‐HL; Cilag, Brussels, Belgium), containing enteric coated microspheres with 25000 U of lipase, 22 500 U of amylase and 1250 U of protease per capsule, with regular Pancrease capsules, containing 5000 U of lipase, 2900 U of amylase and 330 U of protease per capsule.


Contemporary racism and the Asian American experience: The impact of lifetime racial microaggression stress on psychological functioning and risk behavior in Asian American young adults


In nanoparticle colloidal systems, the thermal nonlinearity is affected by the thermal parameters of the surrounding solution. Having a low temperature gradient rate solution may be a key factor in producing high thermal nonlinear properties in colloids. In this manuscript, the effect of the thermal conductivity of the surrounding liquid environment on the thermal nonlinear refraction of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized by laser ablation of a gold target in different solutions is investigated. Gold nanoparticles colloids have been fabricated by the nanosecond pulsed laser ablation of a pure gold plate in different liquid environments with a thermal conductivity range of 0.14–0.60 W mK−1 including cyclohexanone, castor oil, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene glycol, glycerin and water. The AuNPs colloids exhibit a UV-Vis absorption spectrum with a surface plasmon absorption peak at about 540  ±  20 nm. The thermal nonlinear optical responses of the gold colloids are measured using the Z-scan technique under low power CW laser irradiation at 532 nm near the surface plasmon peak of the nanoparticles. Our results show that the nonlinear refractive index of the nanoparticle colloids is considerably affected by the thermal conductivity of liquid medium. The largest nonlinear refractive index of −3.1  ×  10–7 cm2 W−1 is obtained for AuNP in cyclohexanone with the lowest thermal conductivity of 0.14 W mK−1 whereas the lowest one of −0.1  ×  10−7 cm2 W−1 is obtained for AuNP in water with the highest thermal conductivity of 0.60 W mK−1. This study shows that the nonlinear refractive index value of colloids can be controlled by the thermal conductivity of the used liquid's environment. This allows us to design low threshold optical limiters by choosing a solution with low thermal conductivity for colloidal nanoparticles.


Public capital plays a key role in national economic production in developing countries, and it has become the focus of factor reform in China. This paper aims at studying the dynamic characteristics of China's public capital and the return rate. To this end, this paper inventories the public capital stock from 1978 to 2017; constructs a two-sector model to derive the necessary condition for optimal investment related to the return rate, and empirically tests it; estimates the output shares of the two sectors and calculates the rate of return to capital; and illustrates the dynamic evolution of public capital and the return rate from the time and regional dimensions. The study shows that, first, public capital has grown significantly. The portion of public capital held in the form of state-holding is increasing year by year. However, the proportion of public capital to total capital has decreased from 81% to 35%. Second, the growth of public capital has effectively balanced the gap of capital between regions. Third, the rate of return to capital has been decreasing, with two sectors' return rates having converged in 1981 and in 2010–2013. This paper measures the stock of public capital and its return rate, which is beneficial for formulating the policy of public capital in economic production and distribution, as well as exploring the path to achieving common prosperity.


We prove $L^p-$estimates for lacunary maximal functions associated with uncentered spherical averages and Nikodym averages associated with spheres. In the process, we require to prove $L^p-$improving properties for single scale averaging operators in this context. In the second half of the paper, we define bilinear analogues of uncentered spherical maximal function and the Nikodym maximal function and study their $L^p-$boundedness properties. Interestingly, in the bilinear setting, one-dimensional case is also meaningful. We obtain $L^p-$estimates for lacunary uncentered bilinear maximal functions in all dimensions.


Objective To investigate whether it is rational to combine carbamazepine(CBZ)and valproate(VPA)for epilepsy. Methods Both the anti-convulsant effect and the toxicity of combination of CBZ and VPA in different dose proportions were determined.CBZ/VPA dose ratios were,1∶6.66,1∶10,1∶13.3 and 1∶20,respectively.The half effective dose and the half lethal dose of monotherapy and polytherapy in maximal electroshock seizure test were determined within 3 days after administration.These parameters were analyzed with the isobologram method. Results The anti-convulsant effect of all combinations was additive.The toxicity of combination with CBZ/VPA1∶6.66,1∶10,1∶13.3 was additive,but the toxicity of combination with CBZ/VPA 1∶20 was infra-additive. Conclusion Thus,in mice,using this model,a combination of CBZ/VPA 1∶20 has an advantage over the other three combinations.


FABRIC BASED FIBER, ESPECIALLY SUITABLE FOR MAKING COMPOSITE STRUCTURES FOR USE AS EXTERNAL CHARACTERIZED IN THAT IT CONTAINS A MIXTURE OF: A) ABOUT 45 TO 75 IN TEXTURED GLASS FIBER WEIGHT; B) ABOUT 25 TO 55 IN POLYESTER FIBER WEIGHT .


Snow avalanches are a major hazard to people and man-made structures in mountainous regions throughout the world. An analysis of the catastrophic avalanches of the Winter 1999 in the Alps [75] revealed that a quantitative understanding of the processes leading to avalanche formation is still lacking. Research in snow mechanics was subsequently intensified in Switzerland. In a necessary first step, the visco-elastic material behaviour of snow was experimentally investigated over a wide range of densities, strain-rates and temperatures. A constitutive model that could be used within the framework of a numerical simulation program was developed by Scapozza [62]. In this work the stability of the mountain snow cover is investigated using a multidimensional, thermo-mechanical finite element model. A visco-elastic constitutive model developped by Scapozza was implemented and amended to include fracture and damage processes. The twoand three-dimensional finite element model is capable of modelling a layered snowpack, including "super" weak layers, in a complex twoor three-dimensional terrain. The terrain is specified using a digital terrain model that is created using a geographical information system (GIS). A non-equilibrium thermodynamical treatment of the ice and air phases of the snow matrix is proposed that accurately tracks the instationary temperature distribution. The stress and strain-rate distributions in the starting zones of real, well-known avalanche paths can therefore be modelled. Strain-rate concentrations around super weak layers are calculated. Different methods to determine the "stability" of the snowpack were implemented. The two-dimensional finite element model calculates stress intensity factors using a timedependent linear fracture mechanics approach. In this case, the measure of material strength is the fracture toughness of snow. Fracture experiments with snow were simulated in order to validate the numerical model. The three-dimensional finite element model uses the so-called N -Directional approach which is capable of modelling material damage leading to local or total slope failure. The N -Directional approach was devised by Anderheggen and Renau [57]. In this particular application, material damage is defined with respect to the strain-rate in one of the N -directions. Thus, this approach is also based on an experimentally based damage criterion. Both methods show that an imperfection (a so-called "super" weak layer) in the snowpack is a necessary requirement for slab avalanche formation. The failure of a snowpack containing a predefined weak zone could be modelled and the avalanche relevant parameters (size of the weak zone, temperature and density of the snowpack and slope angle) were identified and quantified. We found that the size of the imperfection is independent of the method of investigation. Both the two-dimensional fracture mechanics based approach and the three-dimensional N -Directional approach predict weak layer lengths of approximately 5m to 10m are required for an avalanche to occur. The formation process and development over time of such weak layers is not well understood, but this question is not addressed in this work. Time dependent aspects of avalanche formation were additionally studied using the finite element model. The results revealed that the formation process of a slab avalanche is dominated by a race between the densification of the snow cover due to self-weight — which stabilises the snow cover — and the softening, destabilising influence of a temperature rise. The rate of the temperature rise influences avalanche activity. In comparison, the underlying base topography (slope angle) and snow cover height play only a minor role. The application of the finite element method in a daily avalanche warning service will never be possible. The spatial and temporal resolution of the weak layer length must be known within a± 0.5m over a time period of one hour. This is simply impossible. The uncertainty of the meteorological forecast within this time frame additionally hinders an accurate temporal forecast of an avalanche — even when all other snow properties are known. Another use of the finite element model is to optimise the layout of defence structures in avalanche starting zones. The influence zone of such structures on the snow cover is likewise investigated with the finite element models.


Wolfe, from the Division of Endocrinology at the Children's Hospital of Harvard Medical School requests Brn-2 cDNA from
 Nirenberg's laboratory for use in examining the role of Brn-2 in the regulation of gene expression. A hand note at the
 top of the letter from Nirenberg approves the request.


Knowledge of the present-day stress field is vital for a range of earth science disciplines, including hydrocarbon and geothermal energy production, mine safety and seismic hazard assessment. The scientific importance of understanding the present-day maximum horizontal stress orientation has been demonstrated by the findings of the World Stress Map (WSM) Project, which has spent over 25 years building an extensive freely-available repository of present-day stress information as a collaborative project between academia, industry and government. The WSM project has revealed that the plate scale presentday stress is controlled by the tectonic forces exerted at tectonic plate boundaries. However, numerous studies in sedimentary basins have shown that stresses in the oil-patch can be complex, and controlled by both major far-field forces (plate boundaries, body forces from mountain belts) and intra-basinal forces, such as detachment zones, salt, faults and basin geometry. The World Stress Map project contains free and public information for over 80 basins around the world. However, the project contains almost no wellbore data for the Middle East and Northern Africa, despite this region hosting much of the world's global oil production and extensive industry activity. To date, the World Stress Map Project only contains limited datasets from petroleum wells in Egypt, Oman and Iran – but no data at all for Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Libya, Algeria, UAE, Kuwait or Qatar. In this paper we first review different methods for determining and calculating the present-day stress pattern in the region, then we highlight the lessons learned from the World Stress Map project on the controls of present-day stress in the oil-patch. Finally, we focus in detail on the stress data that currently exists for the Middle East and Northern Africa.


In spontaneous imbibition researches, surfactant has been employed to control interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability. In this paper, the evaluation of grain size effect on spontaneous imbibition of surfactant solution is presented. In this work, the synthetic porous media (sand packs) with uniform and non-uniform grain size from 30 mesh to 100 mesh were made. The porous media were initially saturated by oil. Then they were immersed in brine with salinity of 62 to 40,000 ppm for 24 hours. After that, the porous media were immersed in surfactant solution with concentration of 0.2% for another 24 hours. The total oil recovery during these treatments was measured. The experiment was separated into three parts in order to investigate the effect of uniform grains, non-uniform grains, and salinity in spontaneous imbibition. The results show that grain size and porosity were proportional to oil recovery. In the case of porous media with uniform grain size, the effect of grain size on recovery factor is stronger than that of porosity. Meanwhile the salinity has an the optimum condition for a maximum recovery factor. In this study, it happened at salinity of 20,000 ppm. Oil recovery factors observed in this study ranged from 66.7% to 91.1%.


Different salts of cellulose sulfate acetate with Li + , Na + , K + , and Ca 2+ as compensating cations were synthesized by ion exchange reaction. Thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential thermal analyses (DTA) of cellulose sulfate acetate samples were performed in the temperature range 15-300°C. An endothermic effect (85-95°C) due to sample dehydration and an exothermic effect (197-250°C) due to the thermooxidative degradation of cellulose sulfate acetate were detected on TGA and DTG curves for all samples. It was shown that the thermal stability of cellulose sulfate acetate films regularly increases with the size and charge of counterions. It was assumed that the amenability of cellulose sulfate acetate salts to lyotropic mesomorphism is determined by the structure of water in the close environment of compensating counterions.


This paper discourse about design and modeling of allotted Solar vigour process utilizing a eleven stage Cascaded H-Bridge Inverter for your motive of grid integration. The MOSFET switches can be useful for energy nice improvement through lowering the entire Harmonic Distortion utilizing multilevel inverter. The recommended grid related energy process remains designed and examined in MATLAB Simulink atmosphere. Fuzzy good judgment founded clever Controller remains moved out for current legislation at reason behind normal Coupling of Grid related PV vigor approach.


for 11 GeoRaman International Conference, June 15-19, 2014, St. Louis, Missourri, USA REFERENCE RAMAN SPECTRA OF CaCl2.nH2O solids (n= 0, 2, 4, 6). L.Martinez-Uriarte 1 , J. Dubessy 1 , I. Bihannic 2 , P. Boulet 3 , P. Robert 1 1 Universite de Lorraine, CNRS, Georessources Laboratory, BP 70239, F-54506, F-Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, (firstname.lastname@example.com), 2 Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LIEC, F-54500, F-Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, (firstname.lastname@example.com), 3 Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IJL, Parc de Saurupt, F-54011, Nancy Introduction: The H2O-NaCl-CaCl2 system is one of the major reference chemical system of geological fluids. Its topology and the expected solid phases (salt hydrates and non-hydrated end-member salts) coexisting with aqueous solutions and vapor as a function of temperature are well known [1], [2]. The phase diagram is used for the interpretation of dissolution temperature to estimate the composition of fluid inclusions. Inspite of frequent metastability [3], the determination of CaCl2.nH2O solids nucleating at different temperature is critical, especially for fluids with high Ca/Na ratios. Micro-Raman spectroscopy carried out in fluid inclusions at a given temperature is a powerful tool for the identification of CaCl2-bearing phases [3,4]. Using synthetic fluid inclusions, the Raman spectra of CaCl2.4H2O and CaCl2.2H2O in the OHstretching region at liquid N2 temperature [3] exhibit a large number of bands, which did not seem to agree with numbering of bands. In addition, the bands appeared over an intense background. Thus, it seems necessary to study in details the Raman spectra of all the CaCl2.nH2O solids to establish reference spectra for fluid inclusionists in the 100-3800 cm -1 spectral range. To be sure of the assignment of these spectra to a well identified solid, X-ray diffraction was also carried out. Experimental methods: The spectroscopic cells used for the synthesis of the salt hydrates are hematochrit capillaries (1 mm I.D.; 1.6 mm O.D.; ®Hirschmann Laborgerate). CaCl2 solution at 6.98 mol.kg -1 H2O concentration was prepared. Capillaries, previously sealed at one end, were loaded in a two-step procedure using a microsyringe. First, a measured volume of solution is loaded and then heated up to 140°C for water evaporation and formation of CaCl2 (non hydrated solid, controlled by Raman spectroscopy). Then, a second solution loading is carried out with an amount such that the bulk composition (CaCl2 salt + second loaded solution) corresponds exactly to the composition of a salt hydrate (CaCl2.nH2O, n = 1,2, 4 or 6). Raman spectra were acquired at 21°C and -172°C using a CAP500 heating-freezing stage (®Linkam) with modified silver lids) coupled with the microRraman spectrometer (Labram HR, 1800 grooves/mm; liquid N2 cooled CCD; exciting radiation: 0=514.532 nm, Wl0= 60 mW onto the sample provided by an Ar + laser ® Spectraphysics). X-ray diffraction measurements were carried out in transmission mode using a Bruker D8 Advance diffractometer. The diffractometer is equipped with the monochromated Mo Kα1 wavelength (λ = 0.7093 Å), a capillary sample stage and a PSD (positive sensitive detector). X-Ray diffractograms: The experimental X-Ray diffractograms were compared with the database PDF2 (2010) For CaCl2.nH2O solids n = 0,2, 4 and 6, there is no doubt of the only presence of one phase even if there is a slight offset of the peak positions between the experimental and the reference data. Experimental data also confirms the only presence of the for CaCl2.4H2O hydrate polymorph. Raman spectra of bending and stretching modes water (figure 1) Antarticite CaCl2·6H2O


In the heavy plate mill,cold levelers play an important role in the process of satisfying customers' requirement for flat plates.The mechanical structure and features of the cold leveler being built in Baosteel heavy plate mill are introduced.Compared with the traditional cold leveler,the new one has greater advantages.


The simulation of rain attenuation, fade slope, and fade duration overview from 3 models i.e. AR (autoregressive) model, SST (synthetic storm technique) with east-west (E-W) orientation and south-north (S-N) orientation. The simulation uses the data of rainfall measurement in Surabaya during 3 months. The biggest value of the result of the simulation for attenuation and fade slope happens in AR model, Meanwhile the value of fade duration happens in SST E-W model. Worst condition or upper bound in planning millimeter-wave wireless network if we evaluate attenuation and fade slope are given by AR or SST S-N model, but if we evaluate fade duration SST E-W model gives the worst case.


Objectives Patients from ethnic minority groups and key workers are over-represented among adults hospitalised or dying from COVID-19. In this population-based retrospective cohort, we describe the association of ethnicity, socioeconomic and family key worker status with incidence and severity of Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome Temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS). Setting Evelina London Children's Hospital (ELCH), the tertiary paediatric hospital for the South Thames Retrieval Service (STRS) region. Participants 70 children with PIMS-TS admitted 14 February 2020–2 June 2020. Outcome measures Incidence and crude ORs are presented, comparing ethnicity and socioeconomic status of our cohort and the catchment population, using census data and Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). Regression is used to estimate the association of ethnicity and IMD with admission duration and requirement for intensive care, inotropes and ventilation. Results Incidence was significantly higher in children from black (25.0 cases per 100 000 population), Asian (6.4/100 000) and other (17.8/100 000) ethnic groups, compared with 1.6/100 000 in white ethnic groups (ORs 15.7, 4.0 and 11.2, respectively). Incidence was higher in the three most deprived quintiles compared with the least deprived quintile (eg, 8.1/100 000 in quintile 1 vs 1.6/100 000 in quintile 5, OR 5.2). Proportions of families with key workers (50%) exceeded catchment proportions. Admission length of stay was 38% longer in children from black ethnic groups than white (95% CI 4% to 82%; median 8 days vs 6 days). 9/10 children requiring ventilation were from black ethnic groups. Conclusions Children in ethnic minority groups, living in more deprived areas and in key worker families are over-represented. Children in black ethnic groups had longer admissions; ethnicity may be associated with ventilation requirement. This project was registered with the ELCH audit and service evaluation team, ref. no 11186. In a cohort of children from South East England, there was some evidence for potentially higher risk & severity in groups with higher deprivation and in ethnic minoritys. The finding warrant further investigation.


The chemical composition of maize makes it suitable for a wide range of non-conventional uses, in- cluding utilisation as a new source of energy for the 21 st century as a raw material for biofuel. The aim of the ex- periments was to amalgamate the application of genetic markers with conventional breeding methods to produce maize hybrids whose starch content and ecostability satis- fied the demands of industrial use, while having yield po- tential and agronomic traits on a par with those of hy- brids currently cultivated. The chemical quality of 220 lines was evaluated using the NIR spectrometric tech- nique, and the five maize inbred lines with the lowest and highest starch contents were selected for genetic marker studies. The variety identification of the lines was carried out using the isoenzymes stipulated by UPOV. The following SSR markers were tested: phi095, umc1057, nc004, phi096, nc007, umc1564, phi85, y1SSR, umc1178, nc009, phi070, umc1066, umc1741, umc1069, phi033, phi061, wx, phi032, phi084 and phi062. The analysis of the fragment patterns revealed three SSR markers that ap- peared to be correlated with the starch content of the maize lines. These were the primer pairs y1SSR, umc1069 and phi062. These results are only of a preliminary na- ture, however, as the incorporation of starch is probably regulated by several genes, and the studies suggest it is also influenced by several environmental factors. It also appears likely that the bioethanol yield is determined not only by the starch content, but also by other parameters. Further research should thus be expanded to include in- vestigations into the structural and fermentability traits of starch molecules, including the characterisation of these traits using genetic markers.


A global offset cancellation technique is proposed to solve the offset/flicker noise problem. It helps to minimise the silicon area and power consumption of a cyclic analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) with an operational transconductance amplifier sharing scheme. A 10 bit 1 MS/s cyclic ADC implemented in the TI 0.35 m CMOS process proves the effectiveness of the proposed technique.


The accuracy of the Guillemin transfer function model is analysed; an arbitrary degree of precision can be achieved by proper choice of the approximation segments applied to transient response. The technique is also attractive for non-linear systems with low-pass filter specifications. A singular Guillemin model is also discussed.


IntroductionFrom the ancient times the use of obstacle courses in order to enhance and assess physical fitness in both military and physical education purposes was important, and it is well documented from the years of the Roman Empire (Mullins, 2012). Even earlier, in ancient Sparta, where military treatment was compulsory for all, boys from 11 years of life participated daily in physical exercises. The teenagers were taught to use various weapons and took part in marches, patrols, ambushes and mock battles. They also were trained in wrestling and other exercises related to the combat. It was given special attention to certain exercises as to climb with ease on the slopes and to descend safely from them, to run, to swim in the river, and to jump (Diamantopoulos, 1975).In modern history many researchers proposed that obstacle course is a kind of performance that requires endurance, strength, coordination, balance, and strategy. As a result it is an important tool in the physical training and testing of military personnel. The contribution of the practice on obstacle course is very important, because it is a key tool of understanding of the kind of move and tactics used in the battle.Furthermore, it contributes significantly to the development of the physical abilities of cadets, as requires aerobic and anaerobic power, muscle strength and endurance, flexibility, balance and neuromuscular coordination (Paxinos & Paxinos, 2014). Even practice on obstacle course develops mental skills such as perfect confidence, attention, concentration, perception and immediate decisions. Finally, it contributes to the development of skills related to strategic thinking and fostering team spirit, and team cohesion.There are two types of obstacles in the Armed Forces. The first type, called Battle Obstacle Course, refers to the obstacles that improve self-confidence. It helps cadets to develop mental and physical abilities, and include higher and more difficult obstacles than the second type. Often it is made to focus on specific needs, such as night movement, assault, climbing and rappelling walls.In contrast the second type, called Obstacle Course, refers to outdoor obstacles that improve fitness, and is used in the Hellenic Military Academy. Obstacle Course includes low obstacles in order to encourage cadets for effective crossing that should be done very quickly. Mainly assesses cadets' level on basic motor skills and fitness, and subsequently their self-esteem and perception. Its length is 500 m., and includes 20 obstacles consisting of running, crawling, balancing, climbing, and jumping. This type of Obstacle Course is used in International Military Pentathlon competitions that are organized by the International Military Sports Council.Obstacle course challenges are very famous among cadets, even if involves participants in very vigorous and relatively risky events. The self-determination theory explains the motivational dynamics of human behaviour, and can give an answer to this contradiction. Efforts are being made in order for answers to be given concerning the causes of the individual's behaviour, as well as concerning the role of the social environment in the formation of the individual's performance and development (Deci & Ryan, 1985; Ryan & Deci, 2000, 2002, 2007). Self-determination refers to the perception that the individual has the possibility to make choices. When someone acts in order to satisfy his basic needs, in order to experience the feeling of ability and autonomy, then he develops this perception (Gdonteli & Gavriilidis, 2014). Especially in academic sports, both intrinsic motivations (participation for the pleasure that exercising gives, and to experience stimulation) as well as extrinsic ones (participation for social recognition) can be observed on people who exercise.To extend a theoretical approach to the motivation and persistence of cadets to exercising on obstacle course, it is important to understand the role of sport commitments that underlie participation in such risky events. …


ABSTRACT This article investigates the interrelation between law and hope in the context of constitutional change in the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan. Drawing upon ethnographic and textual data, it is shown that the constitution has acquired particular discursive importance in Kyrgyzstan each time the foundations of the state have been severely challenged or shattered. Paying particular attention to three major political conflicts, the article demonstrates how, in the aftermath of each, speeches, performances, presentations and conversations were infused with 'constitutional faith', binding together the political elite and ordinary citizens in an expression of their general hope that constitutional change could bring about a better future. I view constitutional faith as a practice of hope that allows people to actively engage with their being-in-the-world, particularly in times of crisis. In the aftermath of large-scale political conflict, with which I am concerned here, it can become a faith-based mode of conflict resolution.


The clinical causes of death in 289 victims of road accidents are discussed in this paper. The leading cause of death amongst the vehicle occupants in the sample was injury to the chest and amongst pedestrians and pedal-cyclists injury to the head; amongst the small number of motor-cyclists (or scooter-riders) seen, injury to the head or to the chest were equally common. Asphyxia was the primary cause of death in 9 percent of the fatalities. In only two out of the 289 deaths was it thought that a fatal outcome might have been averted by early and comparatively simple resuscitative measures. Amongst vehicle occupants in the sample the principle sources of fatal injury to the chest were the steering wheel and column assembly and the facia panel in frontal impacts, the A and B posts and the doors in side impacts; and for the head, the roof and header rail, in frontal impacts.


Iq,the past two years difficulties in the classification o f tree damage by airborne forest inventory have arisen as the r eflectance signature of damaged trees with low physiological activity no longer showed the expected decrease of the reflectance signal in the 800 nm region. Ne therefore established a new measuring system (VIRAF-spectrometer), which makes it possible to detect absorption spectra, fluorescence emission spectra and Kautsky induction kinetics parallel to the reflection spectra without changing the position of the leaf sample. These additional measurements characterize the physiological activity of one leaf saw ple, which can be left intact and attached to the plant. The new measuring system will permit a better interpretation of remotely sensed reflection signatures and can improve forest classification and agricultural field studies.


This article will give an overview of the different methods of assessment and treatment currently used in the field of dyslexia with a special focus on genetic research. Based on the modification and extension of the multilevel model of Valtin (1989, modified by Witruk, 1993b), assessment and treatment methods will be discussed due to their primary objectives. These methods will be described regarding primary causes (biological risk factors), secondary causes (partial performance deficits), primary symptoms (reading and writing problems) and secondary symptoms (emotional and behavioural disorders). Keywords: Multilevel model of dyslexia, genetics, magnocellular deficit, partial performance


___________________________________________________________________ One of the disadvantages in the process of learning that is conducted by teachers is the lack of effort to increase the effectiveness of PBL-Based High order thinking the skill of students. The purpose of this research is knowing the Learning HOTS-Based in English Learning. The research method that is used in this research is a quantitative method. The population in this study was students of class XI- Public Senior High School 12 Semarang. The sampling technique was carried out by a random sampling technique, which is class XI IPA 2 as an experimental class and XI IPA Class 1 as the control class. Learning outcomes using HOTS-based PBL-Based HOTS has increased pre-test and post-test values from 33.47 to 35.00 while the Discovery Learning-based HOTS has increased from 33.29 to 34.20, (2) on the PBL-Based HOTS, pre-test value of high


This paper describes the development of a plugin for Pidgin, an open source instant messaging client. The plugin, SafeChat, allows parents to protect their children from Internet predators. SafeChat gives parents a better alternative than other currently available tools by providing a communication-theory based tool.


Epidemiological studies have shown inverse relationship between the intake of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in β-carotene, and the risk of cancers especially in smokers. Contradictorily, clinical trials showed that β-carotene supplementation may be harmful to smokers. The high doses and the oxidative products of β-carotene have been considered to contribute to the harmful effects. Since flavonids are another group of natural antioxidants ubiquitously existing in fruits and vegetablews, they possibly contribute to the well effects of fruits and vegetables. However, little work on the oxidative products of β-carotene and the effects of flavonids on the behavior of β-carotene has been done. In the present study, we used cell model to investigate: First, the individual and combined effects of β-carotene, β-apo-8'-carotenal (an oxidative product of β-carotene), and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) on DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2 in A549 cells. A549 cells were first pre-incubated with 2, 5 or 20 μM β-carotene or β-apo-8'-carotenal for 1 hr, followed by incubation with 20 μM BaP for 24 hrs. DNA damage was measured by comet assay, and lipid peroxidation was measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Expression of CYP1A2 was determined using western blotting. The results showed that β-apo-8'-carotenal alone significantly, and in a dose dependent manner, increased DNA damage and the expression of CYP1A2, whereas β-carotene itself even at 20 μM had no effects. β-apo-8'-carotenal at 20 μM significantly increased the level of lipid peroxidation. β-apo-8'-carotenal enhanced DNA damage and CYP1A2 expression induced by BaP in a dose-dependent manner, whereas β-carotene at 2 and 5 μM slightly suppressed the damage to DNA. In addition, ABT, a non-specific CYP inhibitor, partly blocked the effects on DNA damage induced by β-apo-8'-carotenal alone as well as β-apo-8'-carotenal or β-carotene combined with BaP. Second, using certain common flavonids, quercetin, naringin, rutin and naringenin, we examined whether flavonids suppress the CYP1A2 protein levels and the DNA break in A549 cells with or without exposure to BaP. Since quercetin had the best ability in both, we added quercetin to further incubation experiments. The results demonstrated that quercetin significantly inhibited the DNA damage induced by either β-apo-8'-carotenal alone or a carotenoids combined wiht BaP. Quercetin also decreased the levels of CYP1A2 protein induced by β-apo-8'-carotenal alone or β-carotene combined with BaP. In addition, quercetin also suppressed the harmful effects induced by β-apo-8'-carotenal alone. Overall, our study demonstrates that the oxidative product β-apo-8'-carotenal, rather than β-carotene itself, induces DNA damage and lipid peroxidation and that the aldehyde enhances CYP1A2 expression. β-carotene but not β-apo-8'- carotenal at low doses slightly prevents DNA damage induced by BaP. Quercetin can inhibit the damage induced by β-apo-8'-carotenal and thus enhance the safety of β-carotene.


Small, Jamie A., December 8, 1989; Communication Sciences and Disorders Hearing aid candidates' perceptions on amplification systems: a pre-fitting to post-fitting analysis The purpose of the present study was to assess the attitudes and belief systems of first-time hearing aid users at three points in time: prior to any audiological testing, following initial audiological testing and discussion of those test results with the audiologist, and following a 30 day trial with a hearing aid. A questionnaire was developed which required subjects to rank their agreement or disagreemment, on a scale of one to five, with a series of statements regarding hearing loss and hearing aids. Three audiological facilities participated in distributing the questionnaires to their clients. Seventeen complete sets of questionnaires were returned to the investigator. The questionnaires were evaluated for change across the three asessment times. The findings of this study indicated that the subjects, as a group, did not adhere to most of the common misconceptions about hearing loss and hearing aids prior to obtaining audiological information and, furthermore, their opinions were not strongly altered by the trial use of a hearing aid. The subjects also expressed a high degree of confidence in the audiologists who fit them. All of the subjects were satisfied with their fittings and purchased their hearing aid(s). The results are discussed in view of the limitations imposed by the low return rate and poor audiologist cooperation. Director: Michael K. Wynne


SUMMARY Phosphorus is essential for the growth of poultry, particularly for bone development. Eighty percent or more of the total P is in the form of phytate. Monogastrics, such as chickens and pigs, do not secrete the enzyme that breaks down phytates and separates P in grains or oil meals. Organic acids (OA) effectively check the growth of mold and bacteria. Furthermore, adding OA to feed can lower the gastric pH. Low gastric pH accelerates the conversion of pepsinogen to pepsin, which improves the absorption rate of proteins, amino acids, and minerals. This experiment was performed to examine the effect of adding OA to feeds with different available P (AP) levels in terms of egg productivity, egg quality, and IgY levels. Results suggest that the AP level in feed does not have to be higher than 0.3%, when compared with 0.4% AP in the diet. Supplementation of 0.2% OA to the 0.3% AP diet showed the best results in hen-housed egg production, soft-shell plus broken egg production, FCR, and egg yolk IgY. However, the best eggshell color was obtained in the 0.4% AP and 0.2% OA diet.


This is the report of a case of fibroelastoma of the mitral valve, presenting with a cystic image at the echocardiogram, that was confirmed at surgery and by histopathologic examination. Severe mitral valve regurgitation was diag nosed by Doppler study and angiocardiography. Both features, the severe mitral regurgitation and the cystic image, have not been described previously in cases of fibroelastoma.