This thoroughly revised, definitive guide addresses efficient and cost effective engineering design, rehabilitation, inspection, and repair of existing bridges. Bridge Engineering, Third Edition discusses recent highway bridge design code changes in the United States. Continuing the style and essential content of the previous editions, this revision replaces dated material with new codes and focuses on Load Resistant Factor Design (LRFD). Rehabilitation, inspection, and design remain key requirements to keep bridge systems safe and functional--these are fully covered in this book. This updated volume addresses the state of art of bridge engineering, highlights major concerns, and offers explanations and solved examples for day-to-day design issues. The book is ideal as both a textbook and a reference for the needs of the bridge and highway engineering community. New to This Edition The latest analytical and design techniques, using Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Includes the most recent AASHTO LRFD design methods Design examples and tips used as side bars throughout Introduces new bridge design and existing bridge load rating Uses both SI and US units Covers the latest design techniques and repair methods, including available specialized software Discusses new materials and maintenance methods Complete coverage: The Structure; Use and Functionality; Origin of the Modern Highway Bridge; Bridge Designers and Their Projects; The Bridge Engineering Lexicon; Project Inception; Project Funding; Types of Design Standards; Site Inspection; Site Survey; Physical Testing; The Inspection Team; As-Built Plans and Other recorded Data; The Superstructure; Superstructure Types; Deck Types; Wearing Surface Types; Deck Joint Types Design Loads; Design Methods; Internal Forces; Concrete Deck Slabs; Composite Steel Members; Plate Girders; Continuous Beams; Protecting Steel Superstructures; Load Rating; Pre-stressed Concrete; Pre-stressed Concrete Maintenance; Substructure; Abutments; Piers; Bearings; Implementation and Management; The Highway; Contract Documents; Bridge Management Systems


Post-war British society has witnessed a very significant inward migration of people from the 'New Commonwealth', and the complex diaspora this immigration has created in many British cities is widely recognized as having fundamentally altered British society. Some observers have emphasized the positive aspects of the change, suggesting that the new kinds of identity and forms of living which it has produced have resulted in a transition towards an ethnically plural society. Others, while welcoming the changes, have drawn attention to the inequalities experienced by ethnic minorities and the persistence of racism in daily life, and in the major institutions of British society. The role of the state, and the ways in which 'the race card' has been played in British politics, have from the outset been the subject of extensive and often heated debate.


This paper discusses the difficulties associated in the past with implementing conventional external positioning and the development of an internal slab stressing anchor and coupler.


An attempt was undertaken to find the kind of the functional dependence between the number of fires in the Russian Federation and the kind of an object. Model of Verhulst was employed in the process of regression analysis previously used in biology for description of the process of the animals' population growth. Modification of Verhulst model assuming variable rate of growth was found to allow approximation of the studied dependence with 100% accuracy.


The data model is one kind of method and implement of the world expressing reality. And the main body of a book brief some basic concept of the model having introduced semanteme, a few having been in progress to E-R model describe that, Have suggested that E-R builds some principle and method of model , the E-R method hoping that the data base builds a model to semanteme carries out a few investigation and discussion at the same time.


The article examines the dichotomy of two connected but competing models of modernization of education system. There is model of "modernization - acquisition of sovereignty" (with accent in national part of learning) and model of "modernization -adaptation" (with accent in international part of learning). This dichotomy is analysed under Ukrainian situation in higher educational system.


Analogy and compensation method are important methods in theoretical thinking.This paper illustrated how to apply the two methods in the teaching of university physics,to solve some difficult problems while avoiding complicated mathematics calculation.It pointed out the superiority of analogy and compensation in the teaching of university physics.


In article the problem of automating formation of electronic archive of technical documentation based on the file archive of the developed projects is considered. The created algorithm and the software which restore relationships between documents and the data of already realized projects is proposed. The generated database of electronic archive by results of work of the offered algorithm can be used at the formation of a technical documentation set for new projects with similar structure of industrial products


The α-binding energy as a function of the number of neutrons and protons is shown to exhibit sharp fluctuations which occur at more or less regular intervals. There is evidence that these "kinks" are caused by discontinuous changes in the density and radius of the nuclei. It is shown that a mathematical connection exists between "kinks" in the α-binding energy curve and the irregularities of the β-stability line (Gamow valley), so that both must occur in the same region of the nuclei. This applies also to the irregularities in the mass-defect curve. A study is made of the energies of β-decay (ΔM) of isobaric nuclei in the region of the radioactive elements. This shows that nuclei of odd mass-number A have a slightly higher binding energy for even proton number Z (a lower mass by 0.2 MeV.) than for odd Z. The effect, though well known for nuclei of even mass-numbers, has not before been observed for odd ones, where it is much smaller.


This provides high reliability low power nonvolatile memory. Giant magnetoresistance effect element or a tunnel magneto-magnetization direction anti-parallel or parallel to the recording to the magnetized ferromagnetic wire 101 of the ferromagnetic pinned layer 202, the resistance element 402, layer ferromagnetic free layer constituting the magnetic memory cell ( 200) and connected via a non-magnetic layer 401, and performs the magnetization reversal of a recording layer by spin transfer torque. The non-volatile memory, the magnetization direction of the magnetic memory cell, a random access memory


The majority of biology can be adequately described by classical laws, yet there are suggestions that a variety of organisms may harness non-trivial quantum phenomena to gain a biological advantage. This thesis is concerned with the light induced dynamics in photosynthetic light harvesting antennae. Quantum coherences persisting on picosecond time-scales have been repeatedly observed in a variety of species. This ran contrary to the prevailing theories of energy transfer dynamics in these systems. A consensus has emerged that a delicate competition between electronic and vibrational interactions is responsible for prolonging coherences between electronic states of chromophores. In particular, interactions with specific under-damped vibrational modes are known to play a fundamental role. This thesis demonstrates that room temperature, efficient vibration-assisted energy transfer in a biologically relevant exciton-vibration dimers can manifest and benefit from non-classical fluctuations of collective pigment motions. The inadequacy of a classical description of selected vibrations is further illustrated by identifying features of electronic dynamics that are enhanced by quantum properties. A quan\-tum-thermo\-dynamical form\-alism describing heat and work fluxes between partitions of a closed quan\-tum system is extended to open quan\-tum systems in the non-per\-turb\-ative regime. This reveals non-trivial relations between the electronic interactions among chromophores and the relative contribution of work- and heat-like energy fluxes between electronic and vibrational motions. This in turn highlights relations between structure and energy transformations in photosynthetic complexes. Finally, the thesis investigates energy transfer within and between antennae of purple bacteria acclimated to different illumination conditions. The protein composition is altered depending on the light levels. Consequently, the electronic energy landscape is modified to accelerate intra-complex energy transfer without detriment to inter-complex transfer, thereby promoting or diminishing resonances with specific vibrational motions. This suggests that acclimation may serve to exploit non-trivial quantum phenomena.


Reactive red-195 synthetic solution of dye was investigated over different operational parameters in simple electrochemical cell for decolourisation. Effect of operational parameters such as variation in applied electrical potential, electrolyte concentration, dye concentration, inter electrode distance (S), cathode material, H2O2 dose and electrolysis time were analysed separately in batch process using iron electrodes. Potential of 20 volts is optimised and applied to successive experiments, considering colour removal efficiency and energy consumption. 100% colour removal was achieved in 4 min for H2O2 dose of 6.0ml/L and 2.5gm/L of NaCl respectively. Similarly increase in gap between electrodes to 4.0 cm and concentration of dye to 100 mg/L, process required 18 min to achieve 100% colour removal. Fe-Al and Fe-Steel combination gave good results at initial, but Fe-Fe and Fe-Al gave 100% colour removal at earliest, compared to Fe-Steel. Electrochemical process may prove efficient in such treatments.


Gail A. Bulman is the author of Staging Words, Performing Worlds: Intertextuality and Nation in Contemporary Latin American Theater (Bucknell UP, 2007). She has published book chapters and articles in various journals, including Latin American Theatre Review, Gestos, Studies in Twentieth and TwentyFirst Century Literature, Hispanófila, Ollantay Theater Magazine, Letras femeninas, and Symposium.


The satellite dynamic model errors and the inevitable observation anomaly have a serious influence on the orbit determination accuracy of satellites based on GPS.An appropriate adaptive control factor and the robust estimation theory are used to establish an adaptive robust extended Kalman filter(AREKF)to complete the orbit determination of satellites based on GPS.The measured calculation shows that the adaptive robust extended Kalman filter serves a certain resistance against the observation error and state disturbance.The precision is improved and the feasibility of the theory compared with the standard extended kalman filter is verified.


To assess associations between different types of electronic devices, myopic refraction and ocular biometric parameters in children aged 6–14 years in urban areas of Tianjin, China.


Objective To determine the properties of the striated muscle of the greyhound (dog) urethra and to consider its role in maintaining continence.


To improve the level of forecast of the demand for product material is the necessary way for enterprise to enhance their competitiveness. The improvement project of forecast accuracy conducted by X company introduces the methods on how to improve the accuracy of forecast, including the adoption of a common product language to strengthen communication between different departments and reduce links between customer demand to material planning.


The wheel speed of front wheels detected by front wheel speed sensors (5FL, 5FR) is held back and the wheel speed of rear wheels is estimated, and when the magnitudes of the amplitudes of the frequencies of the estimated rear wheel speed and the detected front wheel speed are treated as frequency scalar quantities, a damping force control amount for S/A(3) is calculated on the basis of the frequency scalar quantities.


He told me that it could not apparently be deduced from the more general result? n ( b l a , aqlb, df la , aqldf , ef la , aqlef, bdela, aqibde) = n ( f la, a q / f , bdla, aqlbd, bela, aqlbe, def la, aqlde f ) (b /a ) lT (d , qld, e, qle, f /b, qbl f , bdef /a2 , a2q/bdef ) ............... (2) where m n ( a , b, c, ... h ) = n ( 1 aqn) ( 1 bqn) ...( 1 hqn). n=O I t will now be shown, however, that ( 1 ) can be deduced from (2). Put q3 for q , and then write q for a , qz for b, z for d , qz for e, and q2 for f in (2). Then


List of Tables. List of Figures. List of Boxes. Foreword Anne F. Stenhammer. Acknowledgements. Introduction Govind Kelkar and Maithreyi Krishnaraj. Part I. Land Rights for the Farming Women in Asia. 1. Policy Formulation, Law Reform and Women's Property Rights in South Asia Savitri Goonesekere 2. Gender Asset Gaps and Land Rights in the Context of the Asia-Pacific Region Rajini Menon and Preet Rustagi 3. Gender and Productive Assets: Implications for Women's Economic Security and Productivity Govind Kelkar. Part II. Farmers' Relationship to Land and Livestock. 4. Women's Ownership Rights and Access to Land in Bangladesh Sadeka Halim 5. Women's Land Rights in China: An Unpromising Future Wang Yunxian 6. Gender and Productive Resources: Nepal's Case of Landownership Ganesh Gurung 7. Women's Land Use Knowledge and Entitlement in Swidden Agriculture Govind Kelkar and Lily Wangchuk 8. Rules and Norms in Women's Access to Productive Resources: Ponds in Bangladesh Dev Nathan and Rownok Jahan 9. Gender and Livestock in Nagaland Rosemary Dzuvichu 10. Mal Chhe to Mobho Chhe: Livestock is Dignity for Us Lalji Desai. Part III. Women's Entitlement to Land and Productive Assets in India. 11. The Status of Indigenous Women and Land Rights in Jharkhand Samar Bosu Mullick 12. Land, Livestock and the Rights of Women in Rural India N. C. Saxena 13. Women's Entitlement to Land and Livestock inMatrilineal Meghalaya Patricia Mukhim 14. Changing Context of Women's Entitlement to Land in Gujarat Meera Velayudhan 15. Women's Landownership in Gujarat: What has Worked and What Needs to be Looked At! Sejal Dave 16. Women and Land Rights in Maharashtra Seema Kulkarni 17. Resistance and Struggle for Survival: Access, Control and Ownership of Poor and Dalit Women to Land in Andhra Pradesh V. Rukmini Rao 18. Women's Entitlements to Land: Grassroots Strategies for Legitimising Claims Nitya Rao. About the Editors. Notes on Contributors. Index


BACKGROUND
Studies enrolling physically active participants have used various vitamin D dosing strategies which can result in diverse post supplementation vitamin D status due to individual body weight and initial vitamin D status. Emerging evidence suggests serum 25(OH)D levels of 100-120 nmol/L are optimal for peak performance, however, studies generally administer the same dose for all participants regardless of initial 25(OH)D status and body weight. This approach will not likely get all participants to the optimal 25(OH)D level proposed for optimal physical performance. Therefore, it's important to enroll vitamin D insufficient/deficient participants to observe the effects of vitamin D supplementation on physical performance. We assessed vitamin D repletion on markers of anaerobic performance in physically active adults by replenishing insufficient/deficient vitamin D to the target of 100-120 nmol/L suggested for optimal physical performance.

METHODS
We conducted a double-blind randomized control trial in 42 physically active participants, 18-42 years of age in the winter months. Physically active participants with insufficient/deficient 25(OH)D status (< 75 nmol/L) were supplemented with an individualized dosing strategy to achieve 25(OH)D of 120 nmol/L with eight weeks of supplementation using the following formula: Dose (IU)=40•[Target 25(OH)D3 - Initial 25(OH)D3]•Body Weight (kg). A modified Wingate test, 10m and 40m sprints, vertical jump, hand grip strength, pushups, and isokinetic knee flexion and extension were assessed before and after repletion of 25(OH)D.

RESULTS
39 out of 42 participants completed the study. 27 participants in the vitamin D group significantly increased 25(OH)D from 61 nmol/L to 123 nmol/L (P < 0.001). 12 participants in the Placebo group had a significant decrease in 25(OH)D from 98 nmol/L to 83 nmol/L (P = 0.02). Despite these changes in 25(OH)D status in each group, no significant changes in anaerobic performance markers were found.

CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that vitamin D repletion to levels sufficient for optimal physical performance does not improve anaerobic physical performance.


As for the issue of ship-board rocket gun launch, the research on the influence of sea condition on initial disturbances of rockets was conducted. The launch system was simplified and the dynamics model was established. The energy spectral density of motion of ship in irregular waves was calculated based on ocean wave energy spectrum and the dynamic response of launch system was studied under three kinds of sea conditions. The result indicates that amplitudes of pitch and yaw increase, however, the rolling decreases when the sea condition level rises.


The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore why online learners do not engage with their studies. Online high schools can create social change by creating learning environments that can flex place, pace, path and time. Theoretical constructs of student engagement were based on recent work in brick and mortar schools and adapted for an online context. Over 400 high school students were surveyed for their perceptions of what are the most engaging aspects of online learning. Twenty three teachers were interviewed about how they engaged students. Students who were engaged showed a pattern of having and keeping a work schedule, communicating with teachers, feel confident about their reading skills, and have involved parents. Teachers engaged students by personalizing lessons, communicating frequently through multiple channels, learning about their students personal lives, and understanding school is not the most important thing in many students lives. The research affected social change by raising awareness among students and faculty about the importance of staying connected to school for academic success. Procedures Design: a concurrent mixed methods study Sample All full and part time students (N≈1100) were invited to participate in the survey through an email from the school office. Response rate ≈ 40%. All faculty were also invited through an invitation from the school office and replied to the researcher. Instrumentation (researcher developed) • Student survey, developed with assistance from MNVA faculty, 47 items • Teacher interview protocol (45 min. interview)


In order to improve the recognition rate of the bleeding intelligent recognition,the new concept of color vector similarity coefficient was brought forth to measure the color similarity,the calculation formula of the similarity coefficient was also derived.Based on this similarity coefficient the classifier was designed which can be applied in the RGB color space;combining the classifier with the algorithm of seeded-region-grow the new algorithm of wireless capsule endoscopy(WCE) image bleeding intelligent recognition was implemented.The experiments show that the sensitivity and the specificity of this algorithm reach 97%,90% respectively.The WCE image bleeding intelligent recognition is basically realized and will be applied in the WCE images detection to help the clinician.


The decay of radon has been followed in effect over approximately 40 halflives in an effort to detect any deviation from the exponential decay law. The results were fitted to a decay of the form N=N0 exp(- lambda t(1+bt)) and b was calculated to be (1.9+or-1.0)*10-6 d-1+ the halflife was determined to be 3.82351+or-0.00034d.


Laser-induced fluorescence measurements (LIF) of nitric oxide and two photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence (TALIF) of oxygen and nitrogen atoms are performed in a diffuse plasma filament with significant vibrational loading. The results are compared with kinetic modeling calculations. The experimental data shows that significant NO concentrations are achieved within a few microseconds after the pulse, after which the NO evolution is controlled by the reverse Zel'dovich reactions. The modeling calculation results show that the dominant formation channel is through collisions of oxygen atoms with multiple electronically-excited nitrogen states. Aside from acting as an energy reservoir, the large concentration of vibrationally-excited nitrogen in the ground electronic state seems to have no effect on NO formation. The present experimental results are accurately reproduced by incorporating all electronically excited N2 ∗ levels.


AbstractThe role of parametrized nonorographic gravity wave drag (NOGWD) and its seasonal interaction with the resolved wave drag in the stratosphere has been extensively studied in low-resolution (coarser than 1.9° × 2.5°) climate models but is comparatively unexplored in higher-resolution models. Using the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Integrated Forecast System at 0.7°× 0.7° resolution, the wave drivers of the Brewer-Dobson circulation are diagnosed and the circulation sensitivity to the NOGW launch flux is explored. NOGWs are found to account for nearly 20% of the lowerstratospheric Southern Hemisphere (SH) polar cap downwelling and for less than 10% of the lower-stratospheric tropical upwelling and Northern Hemisphere (NH) polar cap downwelling. Despite these relatively small numbers, there are complex interactions between NOGWD and resolved wave drag, in both polar regions. Seasonal cycle analysis reveals a temporal offset in the resolved and parametrized wave interaction: The N...


The transverse magnetoresistance of 5‐Ω·cm n‐type germanium at different magnetic fields for an electric field applied in the 〈111〉 direction up to 5 kV/cm has been measured. It has been found that (i) magnetoresistance at a particular electric field decreases with increase of magnetic fields, (ii) at small magnetic fields magnetoresistance decreases with increase of electric field, and (iii) the ratio of the square root of magnetoresistance and the conductivity mobility is independent of electric fields up to 5 kV/cm.


The problem of the Basque-Spanish confl ict appears in passing already in silent fi lms. However, only in the second half of the 20 th century, in particular after the death of general Franco, does it emerge with an intensity unseen before. This is, on one hand, the time when regional cine- matographies and cultures fl ourish in Spain, but on the other, the period when terrorism becomes more widespread there. This article focuses on the Spanish cinema in the last twenty fi ve years and shows the new tendencies in portraying the Basque-Spanish confl icts. In fi lms on terrorism there are stories about ex ETA members, which also highlight internal struggles in the Basque Country. There are also interesting examples of culture clashes, and the theme of travel as a starting point for meeting the unfamiliar. Recently we have seen an increase in the diversity of genre conventions by means of which the Basque themes are taken up - from thrillers to romantic comedies.


The objective of research was the analysis of role of some cytokines in restenosis and clottage development of biological prostheses «Kemangioprosthesis», and also the assessment of influence of polymorphic options of genes on expression of proand antiinflammatory interleukins. The I group (n = 52) was made by patients with failure (restenosis of prosthesis, at 35 patients accompanied by clottage); The II group (n = 59) — patients with functioning and not changed prostheses. Higher level of marker of chronic inflammation of IgG and IL-8 (р = 0,01) is authentically revealed at patients of the I group. The analysis of influence of polymorphic options of genes on expression of proand antiinflammatory interleukins showed that the polymorphism of genes of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6) is high-producing. The obvious tendency to more frequent occurrence of polymorphic alleles of genes of pro-inflammatory cytokines at patients with the complicated remote postoperative period is registered.


In 1914 Sir Ernest Shackleton set sail from London for Antarctica aboard the HMS Endurance. Having lost the race to the South Pole, Shackleton planned a polar expedition which would be the first to cross the Antarctic continent. Well aware of the dangers of polar expeditions, even Shackleton could not have predicted the extreme events that befell the Endurance Expedition. He earned his place in history not because he was the first to discover the South Pole, nor the first to cross Antarctica. Instead, Shackleton is remembered as a courageous leader who faced unfathomable challenges with optimism and conviction. Equally important, he is remembered as a compassionate leader who cared for his crew and rescued all 27 men who embarked on a remarkable journey into the unknown.


Despite their efficacy, governments often find Pigouvian taxes surprisingly controversial to implement. Evidence has suggested that this may be attributed to their complexity. We study whether communication among peers can promote public support for Pigouvian taxation in a market experiment with negative externalities. We find that efficient taxation is adopted more frequently when tax supporters can explain their position to other voters. These results point to the importance of giving voice and visibility to members of the general public who support efficient but complex tax policies.


Contributions to this special issue represent an effective effort toward the understanding of how and to what extent rehabilitation drives neuronal changes, promoting recovery. Table Table11 summarizes all these studies.


We have studied the electronic structure of Co doped ZnO by theory and experiment. Photoelectron and x-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments were performed on 5% Co doped ZnO thin films. The resu ...


Although HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is free in Thailand, many transgender women discontinue taking it after initiation. We determined the loss to follow-up (LTFU) rate of transgender women who initiated PrEP at the Mplus Foundation, Chiang Mai, Thailand, and identified associated risk factors using Cox proportional hazard models. Of 235 partici pants who initiated PrEP, 59 (55%) out of 108 remaining participants had reactive syphilis. The LTFU rate at 6 months was 38% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 29–48%). Multivariable analysis indicates that LTFU is independently associated with age ≥ 26 years old (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.06–4.14) and reactive syphilis (aHR = 1.98; 95% CI:1.01–3.88). Delayed appointment scheduling by the PrEP providers and the syphilis clinic was associated with trans gender women having reactive syphilis, and the lockdown policy during the COVID-19 pandemic might have influenced them to discontinue PrEP and their subsequent LTFU.


A method for tracking and predicting cloud movement using ground based sky imagery is presented. Sequences of partial sky images, with each image taken one second apart with a size of 640 by 480 pixels, were processed to determine the time taken for clouds to reach a user defined region in the image or the Sun. The clouds were first identified by segmenting the image based on the difference between the blue and red colour channels, producing a binary detection image. Good features to track were then located in the image and tracked utilising the Lucas-Kanade method for optical flow. From the trajectory of the tracked features and the binary detection image, cloud signals were generated. The trajectory of the individual features were used to determine the risky cloud signals (signals that pass over the user defined region or Sun). Time to collision estimates were produced based on merging these risky cloud signals. Estimates of times up to 40 seconds were achieved with error in the estimate increasing when the estimated time is larger. The method presented has the potential for tracking clouds travelling in different directions and at different velocities.


In recent years, fears about the influence of sexual and violent images, a growing concern for the victims of crime and emerging movements against the insulting of religions have widened the range of acceptable restrictions on freedom of expression in the arts. These new non-legal pressures rely on a blurring of the boundaries between representation and enactment or promotion, so that to dramatise is often seen as to condone. The right of consumers not to be offended is now prioritised over the artist's ability to foster imagination and empathy. At the same time, many advocates of free speech single out Muslims and Sikhs as threats, ignoring the greater power of Christian groups to assert their influence. The author calls for a more complex approach, combining recognition of the value of artistic freedom with an understanding of why disadvantaged communities use the language of religion to protest.


Optimizing charge transfer (CT) processes at donor/acceptor interfaces is an important subject to improving photocurrent density. Geometries of functional polymers play important roles in design of new types of polymers, which were used as electron donor to improve effective separation of electron-hole pairs at donor/acceptor interfaces. In this article, a novel W-type of polymer, poly(1-[4-(9-(2-ethylhexyl)carbazole-3-yl)]phenylazo-2-phenylazoacenaphthylene), was synthesized by a Suzuki coupling reaction for improving interaction between polymers and electron acceptors to enhance intermolecular CT. Geometry of combination of the polymer and C60 shows that main-chain of the polymer could sufficiently touch C60 derivatives. The polymer exhibited a broadband light absorption at the wavelength range from 250 to 650 nm. Ultraviolet–visible spectra and cyclic voltammetry curve suggest that the highest occupied, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels, and energy gap values are −5.09, −3.18 and 1.91 eV. Fluorescence quenching experiments shows that 99.9% of emission fluorescence of the polymer was quenched by added C60. Therefore, excited electrons at the polymer would be completely transferred to C60 molecules. This article suggests a new W-type functional polymer for improving intermolecular CT processes at donor/acceptor interfaces.


The relationship between the drug effect and the time interval operation or divided into earlier and later periods, the border line being five years after the operation or of the disease.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this article was to compare the left ventricular (LV) systolic function of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children with that of healthy controls, determine the prevalence of LV systolic dysfunction in HIV-infected children, and its association with age, stage of disease, and use of zidovudine.

STUDY DESIGN
This was a comparative cross-sectional descriptive study.

SETTING
A University Teaching Hospital in North-Central Nigeria in 2008.

PATIENTS
One hundred fifty HIV-infected children aged 6 weeks-14 years, and an equal number of age- and sex-matched apparently healthy controls.

OUTCOME MEASURES
Left ventricular internal dimensions in diastole and systole, LV fractional shortening (FS) and ejection fraction (EF). Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was considered present when FS was <28% or EF was <50%.

RESULTS
Mean LV internal dimensions in diastole was similar in subjects and controls (P= .26). Left ventricular internal dimensions in systole was significantly larger in subjects (2.7 cm, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6-2.8 cm) than controls (2.4 cm, 95% CI 2.3-2.5 cm) (P < .001). Mean FS of 27.8% (26.8-28.8%) in subjects was significantly reduced compared with 33.7% (33.1-34.3%) in controls (P < .001), as was EF 61.5% (60.7-62.3%) in subjects and 70.5% (69.7-71.3%) in controls (P < .001). Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was detected in 75 (50.0%, 95% CI 41.7-58.3%) subjects and 5 (3.3%, 95% CI 2.2-6.7) controls (P < .001). Subjects with left ventricular systolic dysfunction were significantly older than those without (P < .001) but did not differ significantly from them with respect to zidovudine therapy or stage of disease.

CONCLUSIONS
Left ventricular systolic dysfunction is significantly more frequent in HIV-infected children compared with controls. Left ventricular systolic function in HIV-infected children deteriorates with increasing age and should be serially evaluated in them.


The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling the dimming of an LED tunnel light that may control the luminescence of the inside of a tunnel in proportion to a change in the luminescence outside the tunnel. The system for controlling the dimming of the LED tunnel light according to the present invention is connected to a luminescence sensor and an LED tunnel light and controls the illumination of the LED tunnel light according to the current outside luminescence value sensed by the luminescence sensor. The system for controlling the dimming of the LED tunnel light includes: a storage unit storing a dimming control map that matches a representative outside luminescence value with a tunnel light dimming value of the LED tunnel light at the representative outside luminescence value; a control unit applying the current outside luminescence value to the dimming control map to extract two representative outside luminescence values adjacent to the current outside luminescence value and two tunnel light dimming values corresponding to the two representative outside luminescence values, and applying the current outside luminescence value, the two representative outside luminescence values and the two tunnel light dimming values to an interpolation technique to calculate the current tunnel light dimming value; and a dimming control unit controlling the illumination of the LED tunnel light in response to the current tunnel light dimming value.


Manufacturers of precision equipment are constantly aiming at increased accuracy. Elimination of disturbing vibrations is therefore getting more and more important. The technical limitations of passive isolation methods require alternative strategies for vibration reduction, such as active techniques. In this paper active vibration isolation of internal vibration sources is considered. Due to static requirements, passive vibration isolation of such internal components can often not or hardly be achieved. As such an internal source a turbomolecular vacuum pump is considered. These pumps are applied in precision equipment applications where high vacuum is required and can for various reasons hardly be passively isolated from their environment. A laboratory setup has been developed, based on a rigidly connected turbomolecular pump. The active system is based on adaptive feedforward/feedback control. The control performance and robustness are enhanced using an Internal Model Control scheme. The experimental setup and the control system will be described and initial results with tonal control will be discussed. It will be shown that with active vibration isolation substantial vibration isolation can be achieved leading to global vibration reduction.© (2006) by the International Institute of Acoustics & Vibration.


The war on women was a term coined during the 2012 election cycle that referred to attempts to pass legislation that would limit women's rights, from control of women's bodies (with a particular focus on birth control, abortion, and the aftereffects of rape) to equal pay for women and their rights in the workforce (M. E. Gilman, 2014). One arena in which evidence of such a war's impact on women may be assessed is behind and in front of the blue curtain of policing. To what extent, then, does policing reflect culture that supports and facilitates a war on women? We review arrest trends for female offenders, discuss police responses to crimes against women, and examine policies and practices that may improve understanding of the criminal justice system's role in this war. We find evidence of changes in police perspectives, actions, and policies toward women as perpetrators and victims of crime. Specifically, at the same time that police undertook more aggressive enforcement efforts against certain types of female offenders, resulting in trends for women that were often the reverse of those for men, there was an absence of similar attention to laws and policies protecting women as victims.


A model is presented to evaluate the performance of polytechnic institutions of higher education (PIHE) in Portugal with regard to applied research. The model, obtained from three case studies, is based on the construction of quantitative and qualitative indicators, the mission of these institutions, and the regional impact of their activities. It is organized according to three dimensions: inputs, outputs and impacts of applied research. This approach represents an innovative holistic perspective to evaluate the academic production of polytechnics. The inexistence of models of evaluation for this type of Portuguese higher education institutions raises challenges in terms of design, data collection and mode of functioning of the PIHE (financing, organization, etc.).


Under the complex electromagnetic environment, it is always difficult to analyze the electromagnetic compatibility and determine the deployment of the electromagnetic signal sources, when only the mixed signals can be obtained. In this paper, we focus on the analysis of the complex electromagnetic environment with signal sources unknown. We first present some results on the ICA method and the confidence interval. Then, based on these results, we implement a simulation experiment by separating estimated independent component signals from the mixed source signals. The simulation results show that the application of the ICA method to the analysis of the complex electromagnetic environment is valid and efficient.


Investigate risk factors for obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) and their incidence between 2006 and 2010 at a regional teaching hospital in Australia. Determine whether a correlation exists between a decrease in OASI rates and an increase in mediolateral episiotomies.


We describe the structure and electrochemical properties of cermet thin films composed of 50 vol % Ni and Y‐stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ), of interest for solid‐oxide fuel cell (SOFC) electrode applications. The Ni–YSZ films—deposited by dc reactive magnetron sputtering of Ni–Zr–Y targets in Ar–O2 mixtures—were porous, two‐phase, and exhibited an equiaxed structure with grain sizes of ≊35 nm. The typical conductivity of 103 Ω−1 cm−1 was similar to that of bulk Ni–YSZ. Impedance spectroscopy was used to characterize reactions of H2/H2O fuel gases at the interfaces between Ni–YSZ films and YSZ electrolytes. The spectra typically showed two arcs, attributed to charge transfer and gas diffusion. Either high sputter gas pressures of 40 mTorr or roughened YSZ substrate surfaces were necessary to obtain sufficient film porosity. Electrochemical resistance values of 0.15 to 0.35 Ω cm2 were measured at 750 °C in 97% H2+3% H2O, lower than those for bulk Ni–YSZ and low enough for high‐power‐density SOFC operation. The low r...


This article presents two studies of experimental programmes aimed at rehabilitating estuarine ecosystems. The tirst case concerns the re- flooding of Moidrey cover situated on the Couesnon river, by means of a digitate structure. The second case concerns the halting of foreshore regression in the large area of mudflats along the northern Seine estuary by means of a series of development works including in particular a new breach upstream in the low northern dike. Hydro-sedimentary models were used in both cases to validate and optimise the options chosen.


__________________________________________________________________________ Why do some producers choose to use imported intermediate inputs while others do not? The decision matters for plant performance. In the data, plants that import are much larger and more productive than non-importers. This finding is robust to many statistical controls. Yet only a small fraction of plants choose to import. To try to account for these facts, we develop a simple model of an industry with heterogeneous firms. Each firm has a choice of two technologies: one uses only domestic inputs, while the other uses both domestic and imported inputs. The importer technology involves a fixed cost but offers increased efficiency of production. As a result, only the most efficient firms choose to import, and the fraction of firms that import increases with improvements in the terms of trade. Calibrated to recent data on Chilean manufacturing plants, the model successfully captures the large size difference between importers and non-importers. ________________________________________________________________________ We thank Terry Roe for helpful discussion. We also thank Chile's Instituto Nacional de Estadisticas for data and Ana Espinola for assistance with the data. The WSU Foundation provided financial support. Correspondence: School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-6210; email@example.com, email@example.com.


Summary. The respiration of stage-I, -III, and -IV sporangiophores of Phycomyces was measured. The Qot of stages-I and -IV is low compared to that of actively growing mycelium. The Qo, of stage-Ill sporangiophores is somewhat higher than that of stages-I and -IV. As stage-I sporangiophores elongate their respiration rate increases proportionately. The respiration rate of stage-IV sporan giophores does not change as they elongate. In stage-IV sporangiophores the growing zone and the columella together consume as much oxygen as the rest of the sporangiophore does. Changes in the sporangiophore's growth rate have


Abstract The study presents a procedure to acquire a colloidal silver-based antimicrobial polymer composition. Carboxymethylstarch (CMS) as polymer matrix, and colloidal silver particles (Ag0) obtained by in situ synthesis with silver nitrate and sodium citrate as reducing agent, were used. In solution, the presence of COOH and OH groups in carboxymethylstarch directs to silver complexation and acquirement of a stable suspension of silver particles. Due to the presence of colloidal silver particles, the composition presents bacteriostatic activity and in association with some drugs (acetylsalicylic acid or diclofenac sodium) pharmaceutical compositions can be obtained, which are useful in the prevention and treatment of some infections or diseases. The compositions were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectrophotometry, particle size analysis and zeta potential measurements. Drug release tests were done in vitro in phosphate buffer solution (pH=7.4, at 37°C).


A vertical surgical approach to the tuberal hypothalamus through the basisphenoid bone which takes into account the vasculature of this region is described. After tracheotomy the floor of the basisphenoid bone is exposed and the basisphenoid sinus is recognized by its bluish color. The posterior limit of the internal pterygoid process serves as the landmark for the basisphenoid foramen which lies at the site for initial drilling and production of hemostasis. The tuberal hypothalamus is exposed as the basisphenoid is drilled away in two stages. Immediate post-operative intensive care includes retaining an endotracheal cannula until the swallowing reflex returns, and fluid replacement and antibiotic treatment. A mortality rate of 30% is usually observed. This technique permits discrete manipulation of the anterior tuberal hypothalamus under visual observation with no trauma to other regions of the hypothalamus or brain (Endocrinology 90: 1128, 1972)


Although cities only account for 3% of the global land area, they have disproportionately contributed 70% of total anthropogenic CO2 emissions; the main issue in estimating urban anthropogenic CO2 emissions is their large uncertainty. Tower-based atmospheric CO2 observations and simulations in urban areas have been frequently used as an independent approach to constrain and evaluate greenhouse gas emissions from city to regional scales, where only daytime CO2 observations and simulations are used considering the consensus that the large bias in simulating nighttime planetary boundary layer heights (PBLH) and atmospheric CO2 concentration will cause overestimation/underestimation in CO2 emission inversions. The above strategy of only using daytime observations makes the numbers of available concentration observations largely decrease even with the fact that tower-based atmospheric CO2 observations are sparsely distributed and conducted. Here, to solve the issue of large bias in nighttime CO2 simulations, we conducted four months of atmospheric CO2 observations from January to April in 2019, and raised an approach by coupling emission heights with dynamic PBLH variations in a WRF-STILT model. We found (1) the overestimation of simulated nighttime CO2 concentration decreased by 5–10 ppm, especially between 0:00 and 7:00. (2) The statistics for nighttime simulations were largely improved by using a revised model and posteriori emissions. The regression slopes of daily averages were 0.93 and 0.81 for the default model using a priori emissions and the revised model using the same a priori emissions, and the slope largely improved to 0.97 for the revised model using posteriori emissions. Moreover, the correlation coefficient also increased from 0.29 and 0.37 to 0.53; these results indicate our revised model obviously calibrated the bias in both nighttime and daily CO2 concentration simulations. In general, it is strongly recommended to use the revised WRF-STILT model in future inversion studies, which can effectively reduce the overestimation of nighttime spikes and make full use of nighttime observations.


Mortality is linked to diagnostic intervals in certain cancers. As symptom perception is conditioned by tumor site, a specific study on oral cancer is needed.


Mesenchymal stem cell populations have previously been identified in adult bone marrow and dental pulp that are capable of regenerating the bone marrow and dental pulp microenvironments, respectively. Here we show that these stem cell populations reside in the microvasculature of their tissue of origin. Human bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSSCs) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) were isolated by immunoselection using the antibody, STRO‐1, which recognizes an antigen on perivascular cells in bone marrow and dental pulp tissue. Freshly isolated STRO‐1 positive BMSSCs and DPSCs were tested for expression of vascular antigens known to be expressed by endothelial cells (von Willebrand factor, CD146), smooth muscle cells, and pericytes (α‐smooth muscle actin, CD146), and a pericyte‐associated antigen (3G5), by immunohistochemistry, fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS), and/or immunomagnetic bead selection. Both BMSSCs and DPSCs lacked expression of von Willebrand factor but were found to be positive for α‐smooth muscle actin and CD146. Furthermore, the majority of DPSCs expressed the pericyte marker, 3G5, while only a minor population of BMSSCs were found to be positive for 3G5. The finding that BMSSCs and DPSCs both display phenotypes consistent with different perivascular cell populations, regardless of their diverse ontogeny and developmental potentials, may have further implications in understanding the factors that regulate the formation of mineralized matrices and other associated connective tissues.


The fifth season of the Sangro Valley Project took place in August and September 1998, based in Tornareccio, Abruzzo. The Project is organized by the Universities of Oxford and Leicester in conjunction with the Soprintendenza Archeologica per FAbruzzo and with the support of the British School at Rome. After four seasons of surface survey and excavation (see J. Lloyd, N. Christie and G. Lock, 'From the mountain to the plain: landscape evolution in the Abruzzo. An interim report on the Sangro Valley Project (1994-95)', Papers of the British School at Rome 65 (1997), 1-57) the emphasis of this final year was on processing the finds and finishing small amounts of survey and excavation. Detailed recording was completed of all material categories from field walking and excavation, specifically pottery, tile, flint and small finds, comprising database entry and drawing where appropriate. In the field, the rechecking of problematic sites identified by previous field walking was completed and further geomorphological work was carried out in the valley by Tony Brown of Exeter University. Computer work also consisted of developing the GIS application for the study area. Within the Samnite hillfort of Monte Pallano further clearance of undergrowth and small-scale excavation was focused on the monumental building explored in 1997. Results were inconclusive although enough evidence was found to confirm the existence and monumental character of the building, which probably spans the Samnite and early Roman periods (fourth-second centuries BC). It appears that terraces were revetted by massive polygonal walls and filled with rubble with several phases of reuse and alteration. There was in addition the final stage of field walking in the middle Sangro valley study zone: analysis of the area around the modern hamlet of Fara was completed through the systematic walking of c. 50 fields between Fara and the medieval hilltop town of Archi. As expected, this revealed a greater level of finds closest to Archi, thinning out significantly towards Fara; one likely third-century site scatter was recognized close to Fara itself.


Characters of vegetative growth,leaf morphology and anatomy of six different growth types of peach trees were investigated and the correlations within them were studied.There were significant differences in tree height and branch internode between different growth types of peach.For tree height,the sequence order was as follows: dwarf type(DW,var.Ailihong) compact type(CT,var.Compact Elberta) semi-dwarf type(SD,SD9238) weeping type(WP,var.Yuanyang Chuizhi) standard type(ST,var.Ruiguang No.3).The highest percentage of bud break(86.1%) and branch formation(78.1%) were showed in compact type peach,almost 10 shoots over 10 cm long developed from one branch.Differences in tree architecture were also reflected by the leaf histological characteristics.Among the growth types studied,the standard type had the highest content of dry matter,with SDWPCTDW in turn.There were no significant differences in fresh weight per cm2 leaf area of all the peach trees.Most vegetative parameters exhibited positive correlation with the content of dry matter,except for branch formation.Standard type had the thickest leaf and the weeping type was on the contrary.There was a significant negative correlation between the ratio of thickness of palisade tissue to leaf thickness and the length of primary branches.The number of stomata on leaf back ranged from 234.1 to 393.5 per mm2 leaf area,the weeping type and the semi-dwarf type being the highest and the lowest respectively.The stomata density showed significant negative correlation with diameters of primary branches.


. We define a game on 1-safe Petri nets, where a user plays against an environment in order to reach a goal on the system. The goal is expressed through an LTL-X formula, and represents a behaviour of the system that the user needs to guarantee. The user can try to reach his goal by controlling a subset of transitions, and by observing a subset of local states. Although we do not put any requirement on the local states observable by the user, we assume that he cannot be sure to observe them in the exact moment in which they become marked. For this reason, we define a notion of stability of the observation. We propose a method to determine whether the user has a winning strategy , i.e. if he can win every play by taking some decisions based on the information available for him.


In 1975 two specimens of O. crocata were found in the dunes of Voorne. Since then the number increased to c. 50. The species is described and compared to other umbelliferous species, as it is likely to be mistaken for Petroselinum crispum or Apium graveolens vegetatively. Different observations on the smell of the plant and the colour of its juice are mentioned. The plant is virulently poisonous, which is illustrated with some references from literature. Its Atlantic-Westmediterranean area (fig. 2) has been reconstructed from literature and herbarium collections; somewhat uncertain is a record from Morocco. From an old collection its presence along the Northwest-coast of Italy could be confirmed. The habitats in Voorne, Normandy and Jersey are described and compared, also with records from other localities. At the localities in the northern part of France and in Holland it grows in coastal habitats characterized by a considerable seepage of fresh water rather rich in carbonates.


Background : It has been well demonstrated that the overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is associated with numerous gastrointestinal malignancies, including gallbladder carcinoma. However, the cellular events that regulate EGFR in cancer cells have not been fully elucidated. A novel negative regulator of EGFR that is referred to as EGFR related protein (ERRP) has recently been identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and localization of ERRP in gallbladder carcinoma and to examine a possible role for ERRP. Methods : We examined the immunohistochemical expressions of ERRP, p53 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index (PCNA-LI) in formalin-fixed, paraffinembedded specimens of 43 cases of gallbladder carcinoma, 7 cases of adenoma and 3 cases of dysplasia. Results : In the normal mucosa, ERRP immunoreactivity was positive in over 64% of specimens. In contrast, the ERRP staining was positive in only 46% of the cancer specimens. The expression of ERRP in cancer cells was inversely correlated with tumor cell proliferation. The loss of ERRP expression correlated with the p53 overexpression. Conclusions : Our data indicate that the down-regulation or loss of ERRP could play an important role in the progression of gallbladder carcinoma. The inverse relationship between the ERRP expression and PCNA-LI suggests that ERRP may play a role in the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation in gallbladder cancer.


A sorption cool pad brings cooling effect without any pre-cooling, nor any external energy supply. It uses evaporative cooling effect stimulated by the desiccative sorption. In this paper, heat and mass transfer in the sorption cool pad are investigated theoretically. The evaporative cooling process caused by the desiccant is modeled and analyzed considering the sorption characteristics of the desiccant. Two nondimensional parameters are found to dominate the cooling process: one is related to the psychrometric characteristics and the other is to the sorption capacity of the desiccant. The former decides the time to reach the lowest temperature and the later controls the time duration of the cooling effect being sustained.


Abstract In this paper, we prove existence results for distributional solutions of anisotropic nonlinear elliptic systems with variable growth and degenerate coercivity. The functional setting involves anisotropic Sobolev spaces with variable exponents as well as weak Lebesgue (Marcinkiewicz) spaces with variable exponents.


In 2005 the BINDT approached the University of Northampton with a view to developing an academic qualification that could be gained by people in the NDT industry specifically in the UK. A proposal was made to develop a Foundation Degree in NDT, which would be distance-taught and would be closely linked to the practical certification that NDT practitioners have to undertake. Over the next two years the material was developed and the course started in September 2007. Since then there has been a steady increase in student numbers, and in 2009 the first group of students completed the course.

In 2009 a distance learning top-up BSc was approved and in 2010 it recruited the first cohort of students. The BSc was designed in consultation with the existing Foundation Degree students and members of the BINDT. In an international context, we have a small but growing number of overseas students. In addition, we have produced a campus-based version of the BSc top-up which will be admitting its first cohort of students in 2013.

We conclude that the courses have been successful due to the close relationship with the relevant industry body. Our aim is to expand on the range of NDT and condition monitoring courses and maintain our unique position in this area


The use of the new home-made drug ximedone in combined therapy of patients with psoriasis is justified. Its immunosimulating effect, normalizing influence on the immune status indices, the absence of side effects are shown making it possible to recommend ximedone for the treatment of patients of any age.


We establish some limit theorems for the elephant random walk (ERW), including Berry–Esseen's bounds, Cramér moderate deviations and local limit theorems. These limit theorems can be regarded as refinements of the central limit theorem for the ERW. Moreover, by these limit theorems, we conclude that the convergence rate of normal approximations and the domain of attraction of normal distribution mainly depend on a memory parameter p which lies between 0 and 3/4.


Paleogeothermic transformation features of various petroliferous deposits in the Pripyat and Dneprovsk-Donets Basins and in Ciscaucasia are considered. A change is identified in the thermogenetic transformation processes through time and space, as a result of successive phases of geological evolution. Paleogeothermic unconformities mark the phase nature (cyclicity) of thermogenetic transformation of petroliferous deposits, and have considerable significance in assessing petroleum prospects of the rocks. Distribution of the oil pools is controlled by a single paleotemperature zonation, regardless of the region and age of the deposits. 2 figures, 3 tables.


Supporting Self-Developing Schools, Colin Bayne-Jardine Discovering the Six C's, Peter Holly Achieving A Clear Focus - Whole School Planning, Isobel Roberts Creating a Compelling Agenda - Appraisal as a Coordinating Strategy, Jeff Jones Undertaking Collaborative Inquiry - Evaluation for a Change - Inside a Development Programme, Denis Gleeson, David Turnbull and Vince Russel Building the Culture of Development in Schools and Their LEA, Derek Glover and Tim Brighouse Using Critical Friends - Internalising the External, Colin Bayne-Jardine and Peter Holly Striving for Congruence - The Properties of a Learning System, Peter Holly.


Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has made it possible to detect both the presence and expression of a gene within specific cell types using very small amounts of starting material. A number of modifications and adaptations of the PCR technique have been developed along with protocols for cloning the amplified products (1). These protocols, however, rely either on a restriction endonuclease recognition sequence built into the primers or take advantage of the template independent terminal transferase activity of Taq polymerase to add 'A' residues at the end of each molecule. Such molecules can then be ligated to a 'T' tailed vector. All these protocols require the purification of the PCR product in order to work efficiently. In our laboratory we are studying the expression of cytokines and T cell receptor variable region beta chain (VO) genes, using PCR, in arthritic joints of mice. To clone and sequence the PCR products rapidly we have developed a protocol which requires no manipulation such as gel purification, polishing the ends with T4 DNA polymerase and phosphorylation with T4 Polynucleotide kinase or use of special vectors. We have found that if the final extension step is omitted from the amplification protocol, the resultant DNA fragment can be ligated directly to M13mpl8 vector digested with a restriction enzyme which generates blunt ends. We reasoned that since the PCR amplified material is basically a blunt end, dephosphorylated DNA molecule it can be ligated to a vector cut with either EcoRV or SmaI. The situation in this case would simply be reverse of that normal blunt end cloning where the vector is dephosphorylated while the termini of the target molecule carry the phosphate. In two seperate experiments, using the same primers, a 330 bp segment of TCR V36 gene was amplified from genomic DNA. In the first experiment, the extension step


To Professor Imre Katai on his 65th birthday Abstract. We conclude our sequence of papers on proving by purely probabilistic arguments the existence of limiting distributions for arith- metical functions. In the present paper we cover multiplicative functions in which the emphasis is on the case of symmetric distributions. The fact that we can proceed without analytic methods and sieve arguments is made possible by our recent proof for a special case of Wirsing's theorem and, on the probability side, we again apply Simonelli's theorem on products of independent random variables. In our concluding remarks an extension is indicated to the behavior of arithmetical functions on subsequences of integers. Let ›N denote the flrst N positive integers, FN the collection of all subsets of ›N, and PN the probability measure that assigns a mass of 1=N to each element of ›N. An arithmetical function g(m) can be viewed as a random variable on the probability space (›N;FN;PN), with distribution function FN(x) given by FN(x) = PN ‡ fmN j g(m) • xg · :


Objective:To investigate the risk factors of fatty liver among islanders in ZhouShan Municipal, and provide proofs for fatty liver control. Methods:Using the design of case-control study, 98 patients with fatty liver and 98 healthy people as control were selected as thesubjects, whose exposure histories were investigated. Multifactor logistic regressive analyses were carried out.Results:It's showed that there are a significant relationship between the incidence of fatty liver and the annual average family income, high blood cholesterol and high blood fat,fatness,irascibility,eating eggs frequently,eating banana regularly and so forth.Conclusion:The incidence of fltty liver has,close relations with eating the great deal of high protein food, bad eating habit, the history of individual and familial diseases and psychology,etc.Eating fruits and vegetables habitually were the protective factors for fatty liver. Eating appropriate protein food, adjusting the eating habit ,frequently eating vegetables and fruits and keeping optimistic mood of life would be favorable to reduce the incidence of fatty liver.


The interval estimation of the normal mean with respect to asymmetric loss function was studied.In location transformation group,the best equivariant and admissible confidence interval is obtained,which is a generalization of the usual confidence interval.By use of the improved method of the parameter estimator,which is used in the estimation problem with the ordered unkonwn distribution parameters,the best equivariant confidence interval is improved and a class of improved confidence intervals are constructed.


Abstract This paper compares a factory structured as a traditional job shop with the same factory structured as a hybrid factory containing a cellular manufacturing unit. The comparison is based on job shop simulation using differing combinations of capacities, allocations of jobs between the cell and the rest of the factory and levels of productivity improvements achieved in the cell. Performance is evaluated in terms of flow times and delays for the cell, the non-cell remainder of the factory and for the normal functional factory. The simulation model was designed to eliminate possible confounding issues of machine reliability, operator skill, unique manufacturer specific part characteristics, factory layout and different scheduling techniques. The result is a systematic evaluation of cellular manufacturing, some general conclusions as to the particular circumstances that favour the use of cells and a set of implications for management practice.


The oasis of Yinchuan plain is dependson Huanghe river,there are deep coupling relations between the stability of oasis and the amount of Yellow river's water and the exploration of groundwater resources.The fluctuation and trend of descending of Yellow river's water amount,the salinization in oasis and desertification of circumjacent area,the improper exploitationof humanare the main factor influencing the stability of the oasis.Then we put forward some sustainable development measures such as researching the Yellow River system,intensifying the management of groundwater resources,implementing the eco-agriculture and intensifying the prevention and cure of soil's salinization and the construction of Yinchuan plain circumjacent area's eco-environment.


The novel ingredient is an alcohol extract of the seaweed Ecklonia cava and is intended as an ingredient in food supplements for the EU market. The main constituent of SeaPolynolTM is a class of polyphenols (antioxidants) called phlorotannins, secondary metabolites found exclusively in certain brown algae. They are structurally distinct from plant-based polyphenols (such as resveratrol or quercetin) in that they are made up of phloroglucinol polymers (1,3,5trihydroxybenzene).


Key Points Question Are interventional echocardiographers exposed to greater occupational radiation doses than interventional cardiologists and sonographers during structural heart procedures? Findings In this cross-sectional study of 60 structural heart procedures, interventional echocardiographers experienced higher head-level radiation doses than interventional cardiologists and sonographers. Meaning These comparatively higher radiation doses indicate a previously underappreciated occupational risk faced by interventional echocardiographers, which has implications for the rapidly expanding structural heart team.


In this paper, the homotopy perturbation method (HPM) proposed by J. H. He is adopted for solving multi-dimensional nonlinear coupled system of parabolic and hyperbolic equations. The numerical results of the present method are compared with the exact solution of an artificial multi-dimensional nonlinear coupled system of parabolic and hyperbolic model to show the efficiency of the method. Moreover, comparison is made between the results obtained by the present method and that obtained by the Adomian decomposition method (ADM). It is found that the present method works extremely well, very efficient, simple and convenient.


Tax evasion phenomenon, having negative impact on many levels, must be constantly pursued in order to minimize tax circumvention and control section in the issue of tax fraud. From international theory and experience it is known that normal functioning of market economy is conditioned by promotion of certain efficient policies and adequate legislation implementation. So, as Republic of Moldova is no exception among countries where tax evasion is, the study of this subject is up-to-date and it is required for presenting these problems at national and international levels.


This paper shows how the miscalculated result of an experiment caused the birth of the theory of relativity. It reveals the error made by Michelson in his calculations to obtain the result of the experiment he performed with Morley, which was designed to detect the speed of the earth
 relative to ether. Thus, Michelson anticipated observing an outcome that understandably would not occur. This paper shows the correct calculations, proving that the very experiment that led to the invention of the theory of relativity can in fact be a proof that the theory is wrong. It also
 shows that as far as the existence of ether is concerned, the Michelson‐Morley experiment is irrelevant.


This paper suggests methodological bases on an institutional support for sustainable development of the forest economy sector, based on the theory of a public choice via the institutionalization of management investigation — as a process (organization of production and consumption of goods) and as a result of (qualitative parameters of a vital activity and environmental protection).


In this paper, in-plane dynamic crushing test of E-Glass hexagonal array systems has been carried out numerically, using LS-DYNA FE software package. Two array systems of woven E-Glass/epoxy hexagonal were studied; single column array system and multi-column array system. The volume of material used in all models was constant. The significant effects of changing arrays' sequences and number of E-Glass layers in the hexagonal cells on the energy absorption capability are investigated. To validate the FEM, a single 45º hexagonal was modelled and crushed in X1 direction; the obtained numerical results were compared with the experimental results in terms of energy absorption capability, deformation modes and load-displacement curves, showing good agreement. Results obtained from single column array system showed that 1×4 array exhibited the higher energy absorption capability, whereas in multi-column array system, 4×3 array had the maximum value of energy absorbing compared to the whole studied models in this paper. As a conclusion, the multi-column array system has a higher energy absorption capability compared to the single column array system.


A pot experiment was conducted to screen out and to indentify tomatoes varieties with low cadmium enrichment.The biomass,the Cd absorption,the content of ROS and other physiological characteristics of four tomato varieties Shengfen 1,Dongsheng 1,Nongcheng 906 and Baoguan 1 grown in Cd spiked soil were studied.The results showed that for all varieties,the upper part of the biomass was decreased(P0.05)and Cd absorption was increasd with the increasing concentrations of soil Cd2+.However,the Cd absorption was different among four varieties,in 5 mg·kg-1Cd2+ concentration,the Cd enrichment of all varienties was ranked Baoguan 1,Shengfen 1,Nongcheng 906 and Dongsheng 1.The translocation facto(rTF)of four tomatoes was droped with Cd content increasing,and TF of Dongsheng 1 was the lowest among varieties because Cd absorption of root was bigger than upper part.Under Cd stress,the physiological activity of four genotype tomatoes were also different.The content of ROS and the activities of antioxidant enzymes(POD,CAT)changed obviously of Baoguan1 with Cd content increasing,but the variation of Dongsheng1 was relatively small among four tomatoes.From the above we could easy concluded that Dongsheng 1 was low-accumulation of cadmium tomato.


To investigate the process of induction heating forming for hull plates,a 2D numerical model of static high frequency induction heating was established based on COMSOL Multi-physics.By numerical analysis,temperature distribution and deformation of the plate in the process of heating and cooling were studied.The following conclusions were made: numerical results of temperature field and the plate's local shrinkage are consistent with measurement data;after the start of the heating,the temperature of heating line increases to the curie point rapidly,and then remains stable;the change trend of heating-line's vertical deflection curve is similar to the temperature differences between the front and the back of the steel plate.


This paper reports on an exploratory study of how university students perceive and interact with Web search engines compared to Web-based OPACs. A qualitative study was conducted involving sixteen students, eight of whom were first-year undergraduates and eight of whom were graduate students in Library and Information Science. The participants performed searches on Google and on a university OPAC. The interviews and think-afters revealed that while students were aware of the problems inherent in Web searching and of the many ways in which OPACS are more organized, they generally preferred Web searching. The coding of the data suggests that the reason for this preference lies in psychological factors associated with the comparative ease with which search engines can be used, and system and interface factors which made searching the Web much easier and less confusing. As a result of these factors, students were able to approach even the drawbacks of the Web—its clutter of irrelevant pages and the dubious authority of the results—in an enthusiastic and proactive manner, very different from the passive and ineffectual admiration they expressed for the OPAC. The findings suggest that requirements of good OPAC interface design must be aggressively redefined in the face of new, Web-based standards of usability.


In planning contexts, safety is often discussed from a women's perspective. An ideal site for exploring some of the key issues is Umeå, a medium-sized town in northern Sweden. Here, attention to women's fear of violence greatly increased at the turn of the century, when a single repeat offender known as the 'Haga Man' assaulted several women in the city. People's (especially women's) fear of violence came to be seriously recognised, discussed and taken into consideration in the city's planning. The present research is based on an analysis of empirical data collected in 2008, through interviews with people who in various ways work to increase safety in Umeå. The paper addresses how the informants define the problem of fear of violence in public space and the strategies they employ to address it, what could be described as the analytical-practice paradox, as the results show the difficulties of integrating gender-aware planning into planning practice.


We present high spectral resolution observations of eighteen molecules, including high-quality maps of CCS and HC7N in TMC-1, using NASA's Deep Space Network 70 m antenna to study the interaction between cloud dynamics and chemistry. Other molecules shown in our study are C18O, NH3, CS, C3S, C3H2, H2C3, H2C4, H2C6, HC3N, HC5N, DC5N, HC9N, C4H, C5H, C6H, and a successful detection of the rare C8H molecule. In addition, we have searched for and set meaningful abundance limits on several carbon chain and ring molecules such as C7H, H2C5, c-H2C5, and biogenic molecules such as pyrrole and glycine. All the species observed in TMC-1 show large spectral-line variations in both intensity and shape over extremely small scales (~0.03 pc). Maps of CCS and HC7N display abundance ratio variations of 3-5 along individual lines of sight. The high degree of clumpiness, transient nature of clumps, and gas-phase enrichment adequately explain the "early-time" chemistry and the molecular complexity in TMC-1. This enrichment has interesting implications for hydrocarbon chemistry in TMC-1, and presumably other clumpy, dark clouds. Specifically, the large number of clumps at various stages of early-time chemical evolution increases the chances for detection of complex hydrocarbons, since the probability of observing a clump at the time of peak abundance for a given molecular species is increased. We suggest two mechanisms for explaining the small-scale variations: (1) the passage of MHD waves in a clumpy medium and (2) grain impacts during clump-clump collisions. In the quiescent region far from any protostar, the MHD activity can be generated locally by clump collisions. The passage of MHD waves helps maintain early-time chemistry in the clumps. Both mechanisms provide enough energy to raise grain temperatures from 10 K to Tcrit ~ 30 K, sufficient to cause reactive radical explosions in grain mantles and thermal desorption. In this manner, the mantle injection causes TMC-1 to exhibit some aspects of "hot-core" chemistry, as seen in more massive star-forming regions. The transient nature of the clumps and the mantle-driven chemistry make TMC-1 a good target for future searches of complex molecular species.


As technological advancement in recent years is bringing ease to our everyday life, smart home systems based on wireless networks and sensors are rapidly gaining importance. Research on microcontroller controller smart home systems has become popular due to its low cost and reliability. However, appliance switching capacity of microcontroller is quite low which limits the widespread use of such sort of systems. This paper introduces an external appliance switching circuit for microcontroller controller automated home which has the ability to control 208 appliances. This large appliance switching capability has been obtained by demultiplexing digital signals obtained from microcontroller board using a complex array of 4 to 16 line decoders. The proposed appliance switching circuit can be implemented with 60-70% less wiring cost in real time compared to the typical wiring technique in microcontroller controlled smart homes. Also, hardware implementation expenditure in this research has been reduced significantly compared to the existing designs. Moreover, the issue associated with existing microcontroller appliance switching scheme in case of incorporating manual switch has been solved. The proposed circuit is incorporated with a smart phone application by which the user sends commands to the microcontroller board using Bluetooth as the medium of wireless transfer. The proposed microcontroller controlled smart home system with external appliance switching circuit is quite cheaper than the existing systems which allows consumers to afford smart living with limited budget. Due to reduction of implementation cost and solution of major technical design issues incorporated with the existing microcontroller-based system been solved in this research work, microcontroller based smart home systems is expected to become a potential product in the market in near future.


. The asymmetry of baryon/antibaryon production has been measured in many proton-proton, pion-proton and electron-proton experiments. In the framework of Quark-Gluon String Model (QGSM) the energy dependence of asymmetry tells us about the value of α SJ (0), the intercept of String Junction Regge trajectory. In previous QGSM study, the value of intercept has been estimated as 0.5 ¡ α SJ (0) ¡ 0.9. Here, SJ behaviors are accumulated in the model based on topological expansion in order to build a neutral object with zero baryon charge. By the way, QCD mass falling under the event horizon of Black Hole (BH) should be symmetric, or in other words, have no charge information. The baryon junctions are easily combinable with antibaryon ones in hexagons. Topologically, hexagon net can coherently cover only the torus surface. The net on the torus has discrete number of baryon/antibaryon junctions. This is only parameter that marks the mass/energy level of this object. It looks like DM particle, is not it? In high energy collisions at LHC, such pomeron loops are to be produced approximately in 1.2 percent of inelastic events. Furthermore, the torus configurations of matter have been revealed in many bright events in space. As an example, Chandra experiment has detected such dense "doughnut" near the event horizon of Super Massive Black Hole (SMBH), which X-ray radiation is screened on 40 percent's. This topological symmetry model of DM seems rather realistic and can help us to deal with an "arm wrestling" between the stiffness of toroid structure of QCD matter and the pressure of gravitational singularity at extremely heavy masses. On the other hand, the instabilities in structure of matter in SMBHs can cause the bursts of giant relativistic hadron jets with the masses of order the own BH mass.


Despite the recognition of the relationship between microbial conditioning and invertebrate feeding, there has been little communication between microbial ecologists and zoologists studying the processing of leaf litter in streams. An appraisal of suitable methods is timely, to encourage workers to critically examine their experimental approach: it is often forgotten that results are determined largely by the methods used. We review some recent studies, emphasizing the application of microbiological and biochemical methods, and discuss some important decisions that must be made in experimental design and implementation. It is recommended that newly fallen, naturally abscissed leaves, bound in leaf packs and tethered to natural substrata, be used in studies attempting to simulate natural leaf decomposition. Drying and leaching leaves under extreme conditions should be avoided. Mass loss should not simply be equated with decomposition; instead, losses of the main types of chemical constituents of plant litter should be quantified. If the aim is to study decomposition rather than merely leaf breakdown, the metabolism of dissolved matter and fine particulate material lost from the decaying leaf must be addressed as well. Appropriate techniques should be used to study microbial assemblages: lipid biomarkers or nucleic-acid methods for assemblage composition, microscopy or biochemical analysis for microbial biomass, [3H]-thymidine or [3H]-leucine methods to determine growth rates. Exponential decay curves and processing coefficients should be used cautiously, especially if sample sizes are small and equal throughout the study.


In this work, using professional software Fuzzy Logic Toolbox from MATLAB 7.5 specifically that shows the simulation of a model that reflects organizational change process based on the approach to complexity at the Center for Environmental Engineering Camaguey (CIAC). This organization, as a social formation itself is immersed in an environment that maintains the mutual relations of influence, and it provides the organizational complexity and multiple aspects of uncertainty or fuzziness of its boundaries. It is through the interaction and interconnection of multiple and different factors in nature that based on the implementation of structural and functional systemic approach using a hermeneutic dialectic epistemology we intend to achieve in practice self-organization of the center. Each of these factors or variables, such as nonlinear phenomena in itself, defined by human thought that is imprecise by nature, is expressed by fuzzy sets with overlapping boundaries, which, together with the rule base (existing knowledge system) and the inference mechanism conforms the fuzzy inference system (FIS) that shapes the future conduct of the Center and the interrelationships between all variables. Integration into a single model of factors as diverse and yet highly interrelated with as participation, co-leadership and autonomy variable as "research & development willingness" and others like  impacts, production, relevance and optimization to identify possible capacity variable analysis from a vision trans-disciplinary process of self-organization and school management.


A personal selection of 32 recent papers is presented covering various aspects of current developments in bioorganic chemistry and novel natural products such as hyperispirone A from Hypericum beanii.


1. A statistical study of factors affecting variation in persistency of lactation has been made using 5000 lactation records from twelve leading herds of Ayrshire cattle in south-west Scotland for the period 1930–9. 2. It is suggested that a satisfactory numerical expression for the shape of the lactation curve could be obtained from the formula, Persistency = where A is the milk yield during the first 180 days and B is the initial milk yield, namely, the milk yield during the first ten weeks of lactation. 3. The interrelationships of persistency, initial milk yield and 180-day milk yield showed that these three characteristics are positively correlated with one another on a between cows within herd basis. This meant that it should be possible to combine high initial milk yield with high persistency to obtain increased total production. 4. The effect of month of calving on persistency of lactation varied significantly between herds. On the average, the highest persistency was attained by cows calving in the winter, and the lowest by summer calvers. 5. The variation of persistency with age showed that it is necessary to correct for the high persistency of first calvers when comparing cows with different lactations. 6. The average repeatability of persistency was 0.242 in the present material, while heritability was of the order of 0.10–0.15. 7. It has been concluded that improved feeding and management would bring about the greatest returns in the direction of improved persistency.


The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, with support from the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), has completed a pilot study and compilation of landslide data for MDT's District 2 (Butte/Bozeman area) in southwestern Montana. A total of 4,640 landslides within District 2 have been identified and included in the database developed during the project. The geographic information system (GIS) coverages derived from the database enable identification of areas containing high concentrations of landslides, and when combined with other data such as geologic maps, the underlying causes and probable triggers can be identified for many areas. The database structures and procedures designed in this project can be expanded to cover additional areas of Districts if further work is undertaken. The landslides included in this project were located by field mapping, airborne reconnaissance, aerial-photograph interpretation, and from literature references. They are compiled by location, type, geologic aspect and size into a database that supports GIS coverages. Locations were originally plotted on from three to five 1:250,000-scale maps sheet, and then each map was scanned into a GIS coverage. Each coverage required extensive editing to eliminate any duplicate information or movement outlines. Once the shape files/coverages were complete and combined into a single coverage, the attributes for each location were entered. At a minimum, the information for each location includes the basic landslide classification (type of material, type of movement) and the location of the movement (in both latitudes/longitude and state plane coordinates). It is important to note that landslides less than 500 ft (150 m) in the longest dimension cannot be shown because of the map scale. Of the 4,640 landslide locations identified, the material involved was classified as earth in 1,922 landslides (41.5%), as debris in 2,556 landslides (55%), and as rock in 162 (3.5%) of them. The most important movement types identified are slide and flow. The largest number of landslides were identified as slides, 2,759 (59.5%), 1,813 were identified as flows (39%), 54 were identified as composite or compound (1.2%), and for 14 (0.3%), the movement or material could not be determined. A priority rating was assigned to each area containing clusters or large numbers of landslides. The report was loosely based on the number of objects that could be affected if renewed or additional movement occurred. The possible risk was assessed against the other clustered areas within the same 1:250,000- or 1:100,000-scale area. A scale of 1-5 was used with one as the highest priority indicating that more detailed investigation including a hazard assessment should be done. All parts of District 2 have clustered landslide areas, however, the Ennis 1:100,000-scale quadrangle area is considered overall to have the highest priority.


Background The mechanism of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) involved in the development of allergic rhinitis (AR) remains unclear. Objective We investigated the mechanism by which differentially expressed lncRNAs contribute to pathogenesis of AR. Methods Expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs were analyzed by microarray detection from the blood samples of 3 AR patients and 3 control subjects, and the main lncRNAs were verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in the peripheral blood of 16 AR patients and 18 control subjects. GO (Gene_Ontology), Pathway, and Disease analysis of differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs, and transcription factor prediction analysis were performed to explore synergistic effect of differentially expressed lncRNAs and their function-related mRNAs on AR pathogenesis. Results Thirty-one lncRNAs were differentially expressed in the peripheral blood from AR patients, and 4 of the 5 most differentially expressed lncRNAs had significantly higher levels in AR patients than in control subjects by qRT-PCR analysis. A lncRNA-mRNA coexpression network analysis identified 16 pairs of positive correlations between the 4 lncRNAs and coexpressed mRNAs. GO, Pathway, and Disease analyses indicated that the 4 lncRNAs were correlated with 7 mRNAs enriched in terms of inflammation, immune response, and allergic diseases. Transcription factor prediction results suggested that Oct-1, AP-1, NF-kappaB, and c-Rel play key roles in the pathogenesis of AR mediated by lncRNAs. Conclusion Our results provide new insights into how lncRNAs and their function-related mRNAs might contribute to AR.


In this thesis, I extend private messaging systems by designing multi-party private messaging models and contribute to the implementation of a distributed private messaging system. Private communication is of increasing interest yet current state-ofthe-art adopted solutions are inadequate in providing both scale and privacy. Most current communication methods leak metadata or are susceptible to traffic analysis in spite of end-to-end encryption. Vuvuzela is a foundational private messaging system helps reconcile these two concerns. This project builds on Vuvuzela by introducing three group messaging models. These models tradeoff support for multi-party messaging with network bandwidth and latency. Additionally, this work describes the implementation and evaluation of key aspects of a distributed private messaging system, Stadium. This new system scales to more users while keeping server costs down to promote the adoption of private messaging as a more feasible practice.


Objective To explore the application of developing individualized surgical treatment based on preoperative CTA in Laparoscopic Splenectomy.Methods To do the splenic artery CTA examination before operation and guide the development of individualized surgical treatment:using the technique of spleen subpedicle severance in distributed splenic artery and using the technique of spleen pedicle severance in centralized splenic artery;Splenic artery was located above the pancreatic tail,and to isolate it first and to do ligation of splenic artery;Splenic artery was located in the pancreas or behind pancreas tail,and to cut the surrounding ligaments first and to peel off the pancreas tail,and then to expose the splenic pedicle.Results 40 patients were successfully completed laparoscopic splenectomy,bleeding was reduced and the operation time was shorten.Conclusion CTA can identify splenic artery and its branches anatomy type and traveling before LS,thereby to guide the development of individualized surgical reatment,it can increase the safety of LS.


The supply chain has become a problem in the trade of agricultural products. The farmers still got low prices while the price at the end consumer is high. Panenmart is there to help improve the welfare of farmers, especially horticultural farmers in South Sulawesi by establishing appropriate food prices and sustainable supply. The objectives of this study are: 1) To identify the factors that determine the decisions of potato farmers in Kanreapia Village, Gowa Regency in partnering with Panenmart. 2) To analyze income differences between potato farmers in Kanreapia Village, Gowa Regency in partnering with Panenmart. The research was carried out in Kanreapia Village, Gowa Regency because it is a vegetable producing region with several farmers partnering with Panenmart. The number of respondents used was 40 people, which are 20 Panenmart's farmers partner and 20 of the non-partner. The results found that 1) The factors that determine the decision of potato farmers in Kanreapia Village to partner with Panenmart are the age and the farmers' institution. 2) There is no significant difference in income between both groups.


Abstract The article attempts to analyse institutional reforms in the multi-level system of the French capital city. The key questions are the developments in central – local relations and what factors influenced these changes over the last century. The author seeks to identify 'critical junctures' in institutional development and explore their impact on the relationships between state and municipality on the one hand and between upper and lower tiers of city-government on the other. Looking at institution building in Paris as the dependent variable the article takes a primarily institutionalist approach in identifying the relevant factors which explain local government reform in the capital city ('what shapes institutions?').


In his book A Memory of Solferino , Henry Dunant vividly communicates his emotion to the reader when he describes the relentless development of the battle between the French and Sardinian armies and the Austrian forces. But he shows in the second part of the book the wide-spread feeling, in the face of so much misery, which stirred the people from Mantua to Milan and Turin during those June and July days of 1859.


Previous examinations of the sentencing behavior of black and white trial judges failed to take into account the prior record of the defendant; did not examine the decision to incarcerate, perhaps the most important decision in sentencing a felony defendant; and omitted controls for other salient characteristics of the judge. Analysis of the decisions to incarcerate made by black and white trial judges in a large northeastern community reveal that black judges are more evenhanded in their treatment of black and white defendants than are white judges, who tend to treat white defendants somewhat more leniently. In overall sentence severity, where little racial discrimination has been found, white judges treat black and white defendants equally severely, while black judges treat black defendants somewhat more leniently than white defendants. While the impact of black judges is, therefore, somewhat mixed, in the crucial decision to incarcerate, having more black judges increases equality of treatment.


Current techniques for ossicular reconstruction include ossicular autografts and homografts, and plastic and ceramic prostheses. Experimental testing of ceramic materials has led to the development of a nonporous, bioactive form of glass ceramic (Ceravital) for tympanoplastic reconstruction. To determine the clinical usefulness of these implants, Ceravital ossicular reconstructions were evaluated in 37 patients treated at the University of Michigan Medical Center during an 18‐month period. Thirty‐two patients (86%) with chronic ear disease underwent Ceravital ossicular reconstruction with tympanoplasty with or without mastoidectomy. Five other patients (14%) underwent ossicular reconstruction—2 for congenital anomalies, 2 for temporal bone trauma, and 1 patient for glomus tympanicum removal. Patient follow‐up ranged from 2.2 to 3.8 years, with a mean follow‐up period of 2.9 years. Prosthesis extrusion occurred in one case (3%). Mean preoperative and postoperative (2‐year) pure tone air‐bone gaps were 41.6 dB and 21.3 dB, respectively. Hearing was improved in 35 of 37 patients (95%). Postoperative pure tone air‐bone gap was closed to 20 dB or less in 23 patients (62%). Hearing gains were greater with partial rather than total reconstructions (p=0.14) and significantly greater with intact canal wall rather than canal wall down tympanoplasties (p<0.05). Initial results obtained with the Ceravital ossicular prosthesis compare favorably with those obtained using other methods of alloplastic reconstruction. These preliminary data suggest that Ceravital is an effective alternative prosthetic material for ossicular reconstruction.


This paper investigates why Japan's recovery from the depression of the early 1930s was so quick.A simple macromodel is constructed and carefully estimated. A dynamic simulation analysis is conducted in order to evalute various causes of recorvery. It is found that the recovery of Japan owed mainly to both deficit spending and expansion of exports, while the contirubution of a rise in profit rate (fall in real wage) or low interest rate policy is rather marginal. The expansion of exports was ignited by exchange rate depreciation, but its sustained growth was due to development of markets in colonial and semi-colonial regions based on capital exports from Japan.


This report provides a brief overview of the German mining industry with some specific examples of planning and equipment used in underground and open-cast coal mining, in potash mining as well as in sand and gravel quarries.


Book Citations: Authors, Title, HemaSphere, 2023;7(S3):pages. The individual abstract DOIs can be found at https://journals.lww.com/hemasphere/pages/default.aspx. Disclaimer: Articles published in the journal HemaSphere exclusively reflect the opinions of the authors. The authors are responsible for all content in their abstracts including accuracy of the facts, statements, citing resources, etc. 1435 an increase of baseline hemoglobin, or an increase of baseline neutrophils or increase of baseline; complete response: the same criteria as for severe AA.


To solve the problem brought by high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, a joint PAPR reduction scheme based on adaptive clipping algorithm and DHT precoding (ACA-DHT) is proposed in this paper. In this scheme, we use a feedback mechanism based on statistical characteristics to improve the clipping threshold setting. When the complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) of PAPR is equal to 10-3, the PAPR values of our proposed scheme are 7.76dB, 5.75dB, 5.07dB, 4.04dB, 1.48dB and 0.51dB lower than those of OFDM system, PTS, SLM, clipping, DHT, DHT-clipping, respectively.